Travelling in Iran

[Youngback]

Anyone have any idea whether travelling to Iran and possibly the fringes of Iraq would affect the ability to get and keep a red pass?

[husky]

The last time I had to apply for a red pass, they only asked where you had visited for more than 90 days (i think it was 90 anyways) at a time in the last 5 years. As long as you spent less than 90 days there you could omit this on the red pass application. I had visited the middle east several times within the previous 5 years, but never for more than 90 days and had my red pass approved within 3 weeks. Another guy I know had spent more than 90 days in Australia and his was delayed several months, so I suspect they do not check the places where you have visited for less than 90 days.

[Cat Driver]

Another guy I know had spent more than 90 days in Australia and his was delayed several months, so I suspect they do not check the places where you have visited for less than 90 days.

These people who make the decisions on your red passes are way ahead of everyone else when it comes to being in the groove so to speak.....

...they have it on good authority that Australia is a hotbed of radical terrorists and home to some of the biggest terrorist training camps on earth.

Now if only they would share this info with the military we could get our troops out of Afghanistan and into Australia to fight the enemy in its real homeland.

[husky]

No doubt. And heck, if you spent 89 days in a terrorist training camp, you couldn't have learned anything dangerous anyways right?

[60N30W]

I just have to ask, what were you doing travelling in Iran in the first place?

I just can't imagine a reason to go that part of the world...............

[CYOX]

If it was on legitimate business there is no need to omit it, if it came to light later that you omitted this information I think you are in for a bigger surprise. You may never be able to obtain a Security pass in Canada. Did you obtain a visa? Have your passport stamped?

[wallypilot]

I just have to ask, what were you doing travelling in Iran in the first place?

I just can't imagine a reason to go that part of the world...............

Iran is a beautiful country with amazing geography, interesting history, amazing people, amazing ruins, some of the oldest cities in the world, great food, and of course, the hookah pipe. granted, it's a little politically strict and unpredictable at the moment, but traveling in Iran is not a dangerous thing, as many western governments would have you believe. (at least no more so than areas in similar situations such as Saudi Arabia, many parts of Africa, most of Central America, Indonesia, Phillippines, etc)

[Youngback]

I am looking at going there in a couple of months. Wally has it right. The government is the strict unfriendly face that most people see. The Iranians themselves are friendly people with a great history who just happen to have a government they can't do anything about. If you look at the travel warnings on the Canadian Foreign Affairs website, Iran and the surrounding region has the same travel warnings that Thailand does. I was just wondering if anyone had any personal experience with CSIS + Iran. As for Iraq, believe it or not, there are certain areas near the borders that are safe. I would compare it to the FLQ in Quebec in the 70's. Just because one area of Canada had a flirt with violence did not mean it wasn't safe to travel in Vancouver. Is it risky? Possibly, but so are places like Edmonton or especially Detroit. I've seen some pretty rough places on this planet. I've found common sense and a smile are greatly underestimated tools to keep you safe.

FWIW, I'm thinking of driving from Turkey to Singapore.

[CYOX]

Are you planning the Silk Road route? It is quite a trip you are planning, I have spent a considerable amount of time in and around Iraq, Iran and the "Stans". You will have problems transiting countries, be cautious when offering money to make things go easier. Plenty of problems at the moment on the Kurdistan front and transiting from Kurdistan to Iran could be dangerous. Iran it self should not be a big problem except on the Eastern front. Are you planning on taking the north route? Or through Pakistan, surely you are not going via Afghanistan?

[wxnut]

I just have to ask, what were you doing travelling in Iran in the first place?

I just can't imagine a reason to go that part of the world...............

I just hope you're not a pilot ... you don't sound like one, you don't seem to deserve to be one, and i surely hope if you are one that you get laid off. Wtf is wrong with you? Pilot's are supposed to love travel and adopt the knowledge of different cultures. Why else get into this job? To do a approach briefing and disabling ur A/P at DH ??

To tell you the truth, Iran has some of the coolest things that you can't find anywhere else buddy. The culture is really rich and the people are one of the most friendliest people you'll ever meet. The government is fucked but which government isn't... you think travelling in the States is so much better? Hah ! FFS going down to Disney Land from KLAX you got a larger chance of being shot by some burito seller than your chances are getting anywhere near like that in Iran.

The problem is that they have oil, they are surrounded by terror maniacks, and it causes them to be drawn down the drain with everybody else. Sort of how Canada is the States bitch.

If I remember correctly the Empire of Persia used to own most of europe and it was an empire larger than the roman one 3000 years ago. The country's huge, diverse, sophisticated, and one of the coolest places to visit. If you happen to travel to OIBK (Kish Island) it will change your views about PHNL (HNL).

Young - Good for you to be going there ... you'll love it. I did when I went.


G'day

[Youngback]

I've heard about the northern "Stans". Not really interested in crossing so many borders in such a small distance. Borders = corruption = a lot of money. Ideally I'd go south and cross from Iran into Pakistan. Thinking about seeing Khyber pass (from Pakistan) but thats as close to Afghanistan as I would get.

[Cat Driver]

Youngback, it sounds like a very exciting adventure wish I could go with you.

[60N30W]

I just hope you're not a pilot ... you don't sound like one, you don't seem to deserve to be one, and i surely hope if you are one that you get laid off. Wtf is wrong with you? Pilot's are supposed to love travel and adopt the knowledge of different cultures. Why else get into this job? To do a approach briefing and disabling ur A/P at DH ??

To tell you the truth, Iran has some of the coolest things that you can't find anywhere else buddy. The culture is really rich and the people are one of the most friendliest people you'll ever meet. The government is fucked but which government isn't... you think travelling in the States is so much better? Hah ! FFS going down to Disney Land from KLAX you got a larger chance of being shot by some burito seller than your chances are getting anywhere near like that in Iran.

The problem is that they have oil, they are surrounded by terror maniacks, and it causes them to be drawn down the drain with everybody else. Sort of how Canada is the States bitch.

If I remember correctly the Empire of Persia used to own most of europe and it was an empire larger than the roman one 3000 years ago. The country's huge, diverse, sophisticated, and one of the coolest places to visit. If you happen to travel to OIBK (Kish Island) it will change your views about PHNL (HNL).

Young - Good for you to be going there ... you'll love it. I did when I went.


G'day[/quote]Hello Wxnut

I am a Captain on an international widebody, during the last 20 years of flying I have operated in and continue to operate everywhere from the Canadian North to South and Central America, S.E. Asia to all over Europe. That being said I do like to travel, I very much enjoy different cultures, I was once in Europe, South America and Western Canada in the span of 6 days! Last week it was dinner in the DR and two days later picked up coffee in El Salvador to have with family at Christmas.

I do deserve to be an airline pilot, you on the other hand.....All I did was ask a question, and in this day and age one wonders why a person would want to travel to a place like Iran, can we not ask questions? If I told you I was off to Guyana you may question why, and you are allowed, is this not a forum for discussion?

Oh yeah nobody "disables" the autopliot at minimums! It would appear you are the one who is not a pilot. One last thing I am not your buddy.

Regards,

60N30W

[flyinphil]

Thanks 6030. Saved me a lot of keystrokes. I took particular offence from the quote "Wtf is wrong with you? Pilot's are supposed to love travel and adopt the knowledge of different cultures."

Like it or not, travel is just part of the occupation. I know plenty of very fine pilots who like all aspects of flying with the exception of travel.

No one is "supposed to adopt the knowledge" of or from anything, anyone or anywhere. Live for yourself, that is what freedom is all about. For many, travel is no longer an adventure, its a job.

[60N30W]

Flyinphil,

Your welcome. You are right it is a job and as many collegues have said it would be a great job it it were not for all the travelling!!!! That being said still beats working for a living!

Happy New Year.

Regards,

60N30W

[wxnut]

Oh yeah nobody "disables" the autopliot at minimums! It would appear you are the one who is not a pilot. One last thing I am not your buddy.

These airlines do:

Iran Air
Mahan
Kish Air
Aseman Airlines
Nordic1
Scanair (when they existed)

Would be more than glad to give you the run-down from some of their SOP's.

You stand corrected. Guess we both learned something.

One last thing, if you were familiar with the world-wide cultures that one would figure a captain having after 20 yrs, you'd not ask that question. El Salvador lol. You crack me up, yet between the lines you pull up your level of prejudice about countries you know very little about.

Cheers and gl with your flying career.

[Expat]

Iran is a great place to go for R&R when you work in Afghanistan...

[flyinphil]

Oh yeah nobody "disables" the autopliot at minimums! It would appear you are the one who is not a pilot. One last thing I am not your buddy.

These airlines do:

Iran Air
Mahan
Kish Air
Aseman Airlines
Nordic1
Scanair (when they existed)

Would be more than glad to give you the run-down from some of their SOP's.

You stand corrected. Guess we both learned something.

One last thing, if you were familiar with the world-wide cultures that one would figure a captain having after 20 yrs, you'd not ask that question. El Salvador lol. You crack me up, yet between the lines you pull up your level of prejudice about countries you know very little about.

Cheers and gl with your flying career.

All the finest airlines. Leaders in SOP's no doubt. Mr Nut, having read a few of of your posts it seems you are not far removed (if you are) from training. Stick to something you know. Grade 4 math maybe.

I see no reference to prejudice on 60N30W's part. I also think his career is in check. I'm thinking you are just a little too sensitive about the motherland.

[trey kule]

60 something wrote:

[quote]Oh yeah nobody "disables" the autopliot at minimums! It would appear you are the one who is not a pilot. One last thing I am not your buddy.

[quote]

You made my heart glad. I thought I was the only one who took offence to being called someones "buddy". Funny how so many of the wannabee's dont know much about how planes are really flown. Wx does not seem to want to acknowledge the reality of flying for a real company that actually has functional autopilot capabilities...but I have read the same thing from several others on different threads.
Lastly, I was raised with a gentleman from Persia ( A parsee for those who know what that is).
There is history there. Musuems, and great food, similar to Thai. My advice is go. sounds like a great adventure and I too, wish I could do that kind of trip.

Lastly, I am more than a little curious as to how Wx has all the SOP's from those companies he claims to have. Many of the African nations, just this last week have formed a cooperative to upgrade all their standards to ICAO's in an attempt to improve on their safety, which was about 35 times worse than the north american/Europe carriers...Great examples to use.

[complexintentions]

60N030W, who do you fly for on your "international widebody"? (Is that different from a "domestic widebody"?) If you hadn't said you had flown the Canadian north, I would have guessed...you're American? They seem to be the best at being able to go all over the world and not pick up one friggin' clue from wherever they go.

I did like your wounded "Can't I just ask a question why?".

Yeah you can. But you didn't, and aren't big enough to admit it. Because when you say "I just have to ask, what were you doing travelling in Iran in the first place? I just can't imagine a reason to go that part of the world.", it's pretty clear that you think someone's a feckin' idiot for going there. To be honest the question makes you sound ignorant and hick. All the more puzzling, since you try and act sophisticated (ooh la la, coffee from El Salvador!).

And then the true rednecks pile on and try and act cool by saying that "the job would be great except for the traveling". Holy shit, how retarded do you have to be to become a pilot and not realize that it risked the possibility of travel? Did the career cousellor not mention it? heheh There are also lots of great jobs that don't involve traveling, may I suggest one of those?

Truly depressing. In Canada. Arrgh. I expected better. ("Duhhh...gee Bubba...why would anyone ever go to, you know, like, that place on the tv?")

To Youngback, I salute you in going to a beautiful, exotic place. You'll love it - everything that has been said about Iran is accurate. One of my colleagues just married an Iranian girl, staggeringly beautiful women there too, educated and far more sophisticated than most Canadian girls you'll meet. It's only in the recent attempts to turn the clocks back 300 years there, that they're being forced to cover up. I wouldn't worry too much about the red pass, it's more just being able to reasonably account for your time they're interested in. Although I suppose you should hope you don't encounter the same attitude as 60N030W's.

['79K20driver]

staggeringly beautiful women there too, educated and far more sophisticated than most Canadian girls you'll meet

Here we go! Why would you say this? Nice way to score points on here. Your post, perhaps, had some credibility until this lame little line. What, are you not meeting enough Canadian girls to your liking? Perhaps you would like to move to Iran so you too can meet a "sophisticated" woman.

BTW, travelling may seem obvious and interesting at the beginning of your career but down the road it becomes pretty mundane. Do you really think going to a particular destination for the 30th time is interesting? In the end its just a job, and most of the time (but not all) I'd rather be at home swinging wrenches in the garage.

[trey kule]

complexintentions..

When you grow up you will find that flying, while being a great job, is just that. It is a job. And like many of the older posters here, on my time off now I would rather spend it in the garden or with family, that sitting in a hotel somewhere. Your inability to see anyone elses position seems to be typical of many of the poster's here.

This thread was about going to Iran. some of us think its great. Some dont. But calling people red necked or worse (American) because they happen to disagree with you is really not that mature a thing to do. As you get older you will find, both in life and in the cockpit, that you spend more time of thinking of what can go wrong and how to avoid it or deal with it.
Sounds to me like some have done that...and they should not be faulted for it.

The sense I get is that you have never travelled that much. could be wrong. Maybe we should ask the mods to see where we all are posting from tonight.

[60N30W]

These airlines do:

Iran Air
Mahan
Kish Air
Aseman Airlines
Nordic1
Scanair (when they existed)

Would be more than glad to give you the run-down from some of their SOP's.

You stand corrected. Guess we both learned something.

One last thing, if you were familiar with the world-wide cultures that one would figure a captain having after 20 yrs, you'd not ask that question. El Salvador lol. You crack me up, yet between the lines you pull up your level of prejudice about countries you know very little about.

Cheers and gl with your flying career.

Morning Wxnut

Lets clear up a few things here,

1. Thanks for your offer to fill me in on various company procedures, offer is appreciated but not needed, I only need to know my companies procedures since that is who I fly for. I suggest you learn the procedures at your company and not worry so much about how they do things at other carriers.

2. As far as "disabling" an autopilot, I don't know you so the possibility exists that English is not your first language and there is a bit of confusion with terms here, the proper term is to "disengage" the AP, if you want to "disable" it you would have to pull a breaker and that would be hard to do at minimums. ( no offence intended with the English first language comment).

3. I am very familiar with world wide cultures, having also lived in Mexico and S.E. Asia over the years, all I did was ask why someone would venture to Iran, I would ask the same questioon if someone said they were off to North Korea. I am not sure how you read between the lines here, since you have never met me before it seems you are way out of line to accuse me of being prejudice about one country or another. For all you know I might even be from that part of the world.

4. Do you have a problem with El Salvador?

Regards,

60N30W

[60N30W]

Complexintentions

I just have to ask, what were you doing travelling in Iran in the first place?

There is a question mark "?" at the end of the sentence, hence a question. Why did you say I did not ask a question?

Regards,

60N30W


Trey Kule, 79K20driver, Flyinphil and Murray

Have a wonderful New Year, fly safe.

Regards,

60N30W

[flyinphil]

Thanks 60N30W, Have a great New Year as well.