JEDDAH, 11 March 2005 — As Saudi Arabian Airlines increases its Saudization efforts, it may be creating more jobs for Saudis. But remaining expatriate workers allege their years of faithful service are being rewarded with prejudice. Meanwhile, new Saudis working for Saudia are finding that the societal disdain of foreign flight attendants translates into a societal disdain of Saudi attendants as well.

With Saudia pushing for full nationalization of its work force — 94 percent in some departments — the policy of replacing expatriates is creating new job openings for Saudis, but not without problems.

In December, the airline announced it was accepting applications over the Internet for Saudis who had a high school degree at minimum. The applicants also had to pass an English exam, a physical exam and an interview.

Out of the thousands who applied, it enrolled 630 new Saudi trainees in its various sectors so that eventually they will take over targeted positions.

Working in marketing, customer service and even as technicians has its challenges, but perhaps the job that some might consider the least desirable in the airline is flight attendant - mostly because of society’s degrading opinion of it.

“Most of the younger generation is more hard working and dedicated because they need the job,” said an expatriate flight attendant at Saudia. She had worked with male Saudis who represent both extremes from the very good to the very bad.

However, she had some observations and complaints about the work environment that not only the expatriates face but also male and possibly female Saudis will have to face in the coming years. For the expatriates, there is much resentment toward their Saudi colleagues because they are not treated equally or with respect.

“I’m not talking about salaries because Saudis should be paid more,” said the attendant. “I’m talking about not becoming a permanent employee or getting a raise even after working for years and doing double the work while Saudis become permanent after six months.”

The attendant also related more examples of the double standard that expatriate workers face.

“I’m saying only the foreigners get disciplined and not the Saudis and contracts being terminated without end-of-service pay in addition to the contract stating that married women cannot get pregnant while working for Saudia,” she told Arab News. She said she thinks the treatment is intentional to drive them to quit, and many already have resigned.

As for Saudi flight attendants, they face the rude and demeaning attitude by some passengers especially on domestic flights.

“It is tough for the men, so imagine how it would be for a woman unless she has confidence and can pick herself up. Unfortunately, there is also a stigma associated with attendants, and it is not a typical 9 to 5 job,” said another flight attendant and trainer for Saudia.

Even on international flights, she pointed out, not all the flights are bound for London and Paris. “Saudia flies to other cities in Asia, for example, and most of the passengers on those flights are laborers. I have had many problems with flight attendants mistreating the passengers.”

However, she believes that Saudi women can take over jobs as ground staff, in sales, offices and catering. “They would be a plus because women approach matters in a different way.”

For Ahmad, a young Saudi who has been a flight attendant with Saudia for three years, the most difficult thing about the job is being away from the family and dealing with different kinds of people.

“We are trained on the service aspects of the job but not on behavior and mannerisms,” he said. “We deal with people of different cultures and mindsets. Most of the time, misunderstandings are easily handled. I think a Saudi attendant can better understand a Saudi passenger,” he said.

The training period is two months, and it includes functions at the servicing area of the plane, serving people, first aid and emergency procedures. “We become trainees or temporary attendants for a period of up to a year and then become permanent.”

He said he didn’t think there was any bias or disrespect between the Saudi and foreign attendants. His complaint with the administration is regarding official Eid vacations, which the administrators take but not the flight attendants. “The vacations are not distributed equally, and those who work during Eid are not paid any bonuses,” he said.

However, he said that everything had its positive and negative aspects, and, overall, he was happy with his job. “People’s perceptions of attendants have changed. This is a respectable job, and it’s better than nothing,” he said.

Majid, who has been a flight attendant with Saudia for more than 10 years, said he had a hard time getting married a decade ago because families refused to marry their daughters to flight attendants, but now people are happy that the man proposing to their daughter is at least working.