KBR Salaries, Bonuses and Benefits.

Thanks, that kind of brings me down a little because a thought people were making over a hundred thousand just to do construction work over there. I put my app in about two weeks ago. I wonder if they will even call. Florida did away with journeyman and master plumber and all you can get form the state is a contractor?s license. Plus I have only been doing plumbing for just over five years. I am worried that it will not be enough. Even though I have learned it extremely fast and have been the forum on commercials jobs for over three years, with many older people (no offense) under me that have been doing it longer and I also have a college degree in business.

KBR does not always hire licensed tradesmen. I know of many that are only apprentices or state they now plumbing and have gotten hired. The pay is about $87,000.00 per year if you taken no sick time, holidays, and no R&R. Now plumbing foreman make over $100,000.00 per year but there aren't many of those jobs and they usually go to someone in country already. KBR way is not want you know but who you know for promotions. They have foremans that have no license and don't know the plumbing code.

My husband is a Master Plumber with 25 years as a plumber and he has to take orders from a Bosian that has no license. That is the KBR way. Forgien Nationals are paid much less then Americans so they are a major workforce for KBR. More profits for them.

If you can find work in the States stay here because the conditions and treatment of employees in Iraq are not worth the little extra money. If you are unemployed go for it, otherwise it is not the place to be.

Most people go over there to get the big money and realize that the extra money spent on plane tickets, phone cards to call home, internet fees each month, and postage expenses are not worth catching some bacterial infection, extreme heat in summer, occasional mortar attacks in camp, and being away from your family are not worth the few extra bucks. So look at the bigger picture and make a decision if this is for you or not.

Debbie

You have to figure in as well that you are working WAY over 40 hours. Normally 84 hours a week... Plus, the Tax Benefit is HUGE!!!

Thanks Debbie. I'm just trying to figure out which way to go I'm 26 been married two years and we are doing pretty well. Work is extremely busy; I haven?t had a pay check of less than fifty hours a week since June. I had just heard on different job sites about the money over there. I also applied to Dyn Corp someone in this blog said they start at a higher pay. In a way I would like to go just to say been there done that, and helped our troops. They call me the company man at work. Never late, never take off and under paid by about 4 dollars an hour. But I stay because I?m comfortable.

Then go for it. I only want people to understand that this job is not for everyone and that what is told to you by KBR is not always the truth. When my husband went we did not know about this site and went in with blinders on. We spend the money he makes and had a great vacation in Spain since he left so there are some good things. We never would have had that opportunity had it not been for this job.

Debbie

I'm waiting for my plane now...they made me pay $15 for my one checked bag??? I thought that was covered on the ticket?

Mixer Mike in St. Petersburg, Florida said: I'm waiting for my plane now...they made me pay $15 for my one checked bag??? I thought that was covered on the ticket?

I think you may find out a few things along the way that aren't covered. Although I'm new to this, I'm already frustrated.

My fiance is over there and he was assigned to Khandahar to start with. Once he got there he was assigned to go to Sharana. To his surprise once he got there, they put him at yet another place, OE, and then sent him out on a rotating crew. They also have him doing another job than the one he was assigned.

Now that he is out on this rotating crew, it means he has no access to KBR phones or internet. This really sucks. He is having to borrow someone's computer and pay to call me. This is not what they told him. He just left Houston the first of the month and I am really disappointed in KBR right now.

Has anyone else had this happen?

Ms Sparky in Portland, Oregon said: OH YES YES YES!! I hear this every day on my blog...this is the KBR way. Tell you one thing and do another. You have to get very flexible and very "whatever" or you will be pissed off all the time.

Ms Sparky
mssparky.com/

so you have heard of them sending folks out on a rotating crew and changing their jobs and not paying them the difference???? that doesn't sound right or fair - kind of down right misleading........

I'm in the hotel in Houston now. Plane ride was kinda fun. Coach seats kinda sucked though.

Mike...what airline did KBR send you on? Also, when did KBR send you your itinerary, was it sent to you the Friday before you were due to fly out?...also, you know the 44 pound limit KBR gives you for flying did that apply towards your trip to Houston, i mean why did they make you pay the $15 bag fee?

I'm asking all these questions cause I'm due in Houston next Sunday.

Welcome to the KBR way. They treat you like mushroom's; keep you in the dark and feed you crap. You will be unable to get any information from the Human Resource Dept. and forget calling KBR because all you'll get is the run around or an answer machine with no call back. They have no written policies for employees to look at if they have a problem. They can't ask anyone in the office because they might have to get off the tush's and do some work. Most sit around eating and soaking up air conditioning or out shopping on the clock. And if you complain you will be threatened daily with a plane ticket home. My husband said that it feel more like prison then a work site. Little to no management, ill trained personnel, and some very lazy employees that don't care about anything then drawing a pay check. They expect you to work long hours in very hot and cold conditions, with other employees that speak no English and certainly don't have a clue of what to do, no licenses and no skills. But the Americans are expected to train and make sure the work is being done properly and again this is with no materials or very substandard materials. They are held more accountable then the Foreign National, KBR's slave labor force.

There are no protections with this company and the only reason they have lasted this long is that Mr. Chaney has made sure his friends at Halliburton have made a fortune at the taxpayer expense.

Well I guess I vented but this is all the truth and it needs to be stated. I will be contacting my Represenative to discuss these issues. I wish your husband well and that he is safe. But the aboove is why so many Americans don't stay very long.

Debbie

Just wait for the plane ride in Coach to Dubai. LOL.

I beleive you are allowed 50 lbs. in flight on the airlines. But some of the bigger airlines have started charging for any checked baggage. I guess KBR is no picking up that charge. $15.00 for the 300 to 400 employees they have flying every week can add up to alot of profit in their pocket. That is the KBR way. Good Luck in Houston. Stay safe.

Hmmmmm
-Continental Airlines, Boeing 737
-Itinerary, got it about Tue or Wed
-I don't believe the 44 lbs counts here, I think Continental's site said 50 lbs. per bag and $50 overweight fee per bag for 50-70 lbs.
-Continental said that $15 for checked bag was started October 6th I think, $25 for second bag checked...

My bag ended up being 41.5 lbs. When I got to the airport, I went to the airline ticket center, that's where you get your boarding pass and they have a scale there where you can weigh your bags & adjust if necessary. She also charged my debit card the $15.

Anyone know if I can get in trouble for posting company information?

Oluwakemi in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Mike...what airline did KBR send you on? Also, when did KBR send you your itinerary, was it sent to you the Friday before you were due to fly out?...also, you know the 44 pound limit KBR gives you for flying did that apply towards your trip to Houston, i mean why did they make you pay the $15 bag fee?

I'm asking all these questions cause I'm due in Houston next Sunday.

My fiance got his itinerary the friday before he had to fly out on that sunday! don't take more than you must to houston unless you plan on shipping the overage home or have someone take it home. His limit was 35 lbs to go to afghan. Ive sent him items but since he had to go out on this rotating crew thing, he hasn't even gotten it or any other letters - nothing.

Thanks both Sharon and Mike

Mixer Mike in St. Petersburg, Florida said: Hmmmmm
-Continental Airlines, Boeing 737
-Itinerary, got it about Tue or Wed
-I don't believe the 44 lbs counts here, I think Continental's site said 50 lbs. per bag and $50 overweight fee per bag for 50-70 lbs.
-Continental said that $15 for checked bag was started October 6th I think, $25 for second bag checked...

My bag ended up being 41.5 lbs. When I got to the airport, I went to the airline ticket center, that's where you get your boarding pass and they have a scale there where you can weigh your bags & adjust if necessary. She also charged my debit card the $15.

Anyone know if I can get in trouble for posting company information?

Hey what hotel did you get into? Hilton, marriott, days inn? Do you have to share a room?

As long as you are in the United States you have the right to say and tell anything you want. We fought hard for the right to have freedom of speech. Now when you get to Iraq you will have to be careful about giving out military information. They will go over that during your training.

Ramada, no roommate yet...I'm thinkin of going somewhere, I'm bored...but I guess I have to get up at 4am...

I thought that hiring pack stated a lot of stuff about keeping company information private?

I don't recall that in our packet. There was some talk about not identifying where the training facility is. Like no one now. LOL. They do tell you not to wear your bagdges outside during off time. The only other reason they would not want information out would be base salaries discussed. All the trades employees were told they were getting payraises then they took it back and gave only the electrician's the raise. I have heard that some people are being told a salary from recruiters then when they get to contract signing time the base has changed. That is the KBR way.

Mixer Mike in St. Petersburg, Florida said: Ramada, no roommate yet...I'm thinkin of going somewhere, I'm bored...but I guess I have to get up at 4am...

You have to get up at 4am? My goodness what time do the classes start? Do they meet you at Houston Airport and take you to the hotel or what happens?

Oluwakemi in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Mike...what airline did KBR send you on? Also, when did KBR send you your itinerary, was it sent to you the Friday before you were due to fly out?...also, you know the 44 pound limit KBR gives you for flying did that apply towards your trip to Houston, i mean why did they make you pay the $15 bag fee?

I'm asking all these questions cause I'm due in Houston next Sunday.

I will be leaving to Houston next Sunday too. I hope processing is not longer than 10 days. What are you going to be doing in Iraq

switch in Austin, Texas said: You have to get up at 4am? My goodness what time do the classes start? Do they meet you at Houston Airport and take you to the hotel or what happens?

hotel shuttle leaves at 5am, breakfast at the center at 6-6:30am, and I think processing starts at 7am

Admin Specialist, and you Tina?

Mixer Mike in St. Petersburg, Florida said: I thought that hiring pack stated a lot of stuff about keeping company information private?

They would like for you all to do that for sure. That's how they have been able to keep all this waste fraud and abuse, crimes, assaults, rapes, under the radar. Keep in mind you don't work for KBR, you work for SEII...unless it suits them.

Ms Sparky
mssparky.com/

Ms Sparky in Portland, Oregon said: They would like for you all to do that for sure. That's how they have been able to keep all this waste fraud and abuse, crimes, assaults, rapes, under the radar. Keep in mind you don't work for KBR, you work for SEII...unless it suits them.

Ms Sparky
mssparky.com/

Ms. Sparky do you know anything about this? I had posted it somewhere else and noticed you weren't on that section.

switch in Austin, Texas said: When you say "new" this time around, does that mean he has been over there before. Then he should know how it works then?
Yes my husband goes to Houston next Sunday to process. At the moment he is going to Iraq, Camp Victory but i dont honestly know where he will end up. Very worrying. Does a generator mechanic make more than an electrician? Will he move around for the whole year, like a service electrician?
Is OE a big camp and Sharana a small one? I dont know what to say except im sorry for you, but perhaps he might like moving around doing different things? doesnt make it easy on you though. Maybe this is just temporary?

He worked for KBR in Iraq several years ago. Says afghan is nothing like Iraq. It seems that Iraq is a bit more organized theater. And no, GM doesnt make more than electrician but he was told there were no openings for electrician. We don't know if he will move around all year or what. Not a lot of info coming down to him. OE is not a real big camp like Bagram or Khandahar. Actually you may want to look up the maps and provinces of Afghan and Iraq. They show the bases and if you yahoo search for Sharana and OE you can see pics of the facilities. As for him, he does like being busy but he also likes to know what is going on so he can decide if he wants to do something or not. This was a no input situation. Temporary? We do know that either.

Been talking in a different section. Does anyone know what a "Ring Route" is ? And are these kind of jobs common over there for electricians?

Sharon Fogleman in Fayetteville, North Carolina said: My fiance got his itinerary the friday before he had to fly out on that sunday! don't take more than you must to houston unless you plan on shipping the overage home or have someone take it home. His limit was 35 lbs to go to afghan. Ive sent him items but since he had to go out on this rotating crew thing, he hasn't even gotten it or any other letters - nothing.

I'm pretty sure weight limits from Afghansitan are 44 lbs. now, too. I was with my husband when he weighed in and the signs above the scales said 44. And you can also have a 15 lbs. carry on. So a total of 59# luggage.

My husband and I weighed his stuff over and over at home, until we were within a lb. of the weights. He was fine when he got there.

The hotel we were at allowed all of the KBR people to come down to their laundry facility and weigh there too, before they got to the holdover meeting.

Debbie Creery in Gatesville, Texas said: If you are in Iraq or Afghanistan the uplifts are 75%. In Dubai you get 5%. Not sure about uplifts in Kuwait. If your base is $2853.00 you will receive $14.90 per hour worked with 75% uplifts on the first 40 hours worked each week. After SS and FICA taken out your take home pay on a 4 week month is $5873.78 and about $7653.69 on a five week month. Works out to about $17.25 per hour after SS and FICA taken out.

Debbie

Has the uplift thing changed do you know? I just talked to my husband and he hasn't gotten his first paycheck yet, but he seems to be under the impression that he will get uplifts on all of his hours...not just the first 40. Is that not the case?

me too. email me at gtgerena@yahoo.com and maybe we can meet in Houston.

Crystal01 in Maine said: Has the uplift thing changed do you know? I just talked to my husband and he hasn't gotten his first paycheck yet, but he seems to be under the impression that he will get uplifts on all of his hours...not just the first 40. Is that not the case?

I'm sorry. KBR has NEVER paid uplift on all hours worked. I've heard nothing about that and if they are it's a first. There have been many many lawsuits over this very subject. Sounds like a recruiting tactic.

Ms Sparky
mssparky.com/

Uplifts are only on the first 40 hours not the other 44 hours worked.

Debbie Creery in Gatesville, Texas said: Uplifts are only on the first 40 hours not the other 44 hours worked.

Wouldn't that be great if they actually paid you for every hour worked!! I have been asking Congress to investigate this. Hopefully they will.

Ms Sparky
mssparky.com/

As soon as this election stuff is over I intend to set up an appointment with Rep. Chet Edwards. He is a friend and I've now him for 10 years. I am going to fill him with all this information and maybe he can help us out. KBR has to be stopped.

We still have been unable to get my husband's personnal belonging at Camp Delta. When they sent him to Camp Echo is was only going to be temporary for 6-8 weeks. That was 7 months ago and he has been permantly reassigned but can't get his belongings. He has called both camps and they aren't any help. They told him he could use his R&R or a friend at Camp Delta could pack his stuff and mail it to him. He has no friends at Camp Delta. KBR should faciliate him getting his belonging. Winter is coming on and all his winter clothes are at the other camp.

Maybe Chet will help us get his belongings. Sometimes all they need is a good push. Wish me luck.

Debbie

Ms Sparky in Portland, Oregon said: Wouldn't that be great if they actually paid you for every hour worked!! I have been asking Congress to investigate this. Hopefully they will.

Ms Sparky
mssparky.com/

I think it would be great if they did pay for the extra hours. But!! I am sorry about all the hardship for the employees and their families endure but considering the availabilities on the job market here in the US, I would personally take the good with the bad and also think about the bigger picture and are we not part of supporting our troops? I know when I think of the soldiers and their daily hardships, I personally like to keep an open perspective to the greater cause of the journey. We are in a "sue happy" society and we all pay the price and every day. Reading the small print is time consuming but very necessary. Handshakes are great, but if it is not in writing, then I take the chance assuming the wrong thing. Recruiters have to meet their quota and there are bad apples everywhere.

God bless you and your families and keep you safe.

Debbie Creery in Gatesville, Texas said: As soon as this election stuff is over I intend to set up an appointment with Rep. Chet Edwards. He is a friend and I've now him for 10 years. I am going to fill him with all this information and maybe he can help us out. KBR has to be stopped.

We still have been unable to get my husband's personnal belonging at Camp Delta. When they sent him to Camp Echo is was only going to be temporary for 6-8 weeks. That was 7 months ago and he has been permantly reassigned but can't get his belongings. He has called both camps and they aren't any help. They told him he could use his R&R or a friend at Camp Delta could pack his stuff and mail it to him. He has no friends at Camp Delta. KBR should faciliate him getting his belonging. Winter is coming on and all his winter clothes are at the other camp.

Maybe Chet will help us get his belongings. Sometimes all they need is a good push. Wish me luck.

Debbie

Sorry to hear about all the trouble. Would it be great if someone from Camp Echo would read this and help out? I keep my fingers crossed and you never know about those random acts of kindness, people helping people spontaneously.

Good luck!! It'll work out, it always does!

Debbie-Senator Dorgan (ND) Chairman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee and Congressman Waxman (CA) Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform are at the forefront for investigating KBR for contractor fraud.

Ms Sparky
mssparky.com/

Hello All. I am new to this forum. Wondering if anyone can provide me with the name or phone number of a KBR recruiter name that handles admin/clerical hiring?

Debbie Creery in Gatesville, Texas said: Uplifts are only on the first 40 hours not the other 44 hours worked.

Thanks. I'll pass that along to him.

I'm really curious wondering what his first paycheck is going to be like. I don't know that I trust the #'s he has given me!

If is base pay is $2853.00 he would bring home about 5700.00 per month on a four week month and about 7000.00 on a 5 week month. Hope that helps.

Debbie

I think it would be great if they did pay for the extra hours. But!! I am sorry about all the hardship for the employees and their families endure but considering the availabilities on the job market here in the US, I would personally take the good with the bad and also think about the bigger picture and are we not part of supporting our troops? I know when I think of the soldiers and their daily hardships, I personally like to keep an open perspective to the greater cause of the journey. We are in a "sue happy" society and we all pay the price and every day. Reading the small print is time consuming but very necessary. Handshakes are great, but if it is not in writing, then I take the chance assuming the wrong thing. Recruiters have to meet their quota and there are bad apples everywhere.

God bless you and your families and keep you safe.

How would you feel if told by your boss to work a minimum of 44 hours extra a week for no overtime?

The "uplift" that we recieved in Iraq ALMOST EXACTLY matched the amount of money that we would have recieved if overtime was paid on the 44 extra hours of work a week. It is like we are taking on all of the risks involved in working in Iraq & Afghanistan for nothing.

You obviously have no idea what it is like to work for 12 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. I worked for 8 months straight, got 12 days off, then worked another 9 months straight because there was no one to take my place and I did not want to compromise my mission.

As far as "LITIGIOUS SOCIETY" sometimes there is no choice when it comes to these heartless companies. I've been waiting 5 months just to get my FIRST INFORMAL HEARING from AIG & the dept. of Labour!! By LAW they are supposed to respond within 14 days of filing a claim. IT IS IN WRITING. THEY ARE BREAKING THE LAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

crazedchef

For those of you who have recently gone through processing, how long did it take before you were contacted from the time you submitted your resume? I know it varies by position/location/experience etc, just curious.

thanks

How would you feel if told by your boss to work a minimum of 44 hours extra a week for no overtime?

The "uplift" that we recieved in Iraq ALMOST EXACTLY matched the amount of money that we would have recieved if overtime was paid on the 44 extra hours of work a week. It is like we are taking on all of the risks involved in working in Iraq & Afghanistan for nothing.

You obviously have no idea what it is like to work for 12 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. I worked for 8 months straight, got 12 days off, then worked another 9 months straight because there was no one to take my place and I did not want to compromise my mission.

As far as "LITIGIOUS SOCIETY" sometimes there is no choice when it comes to these heartless companies. I've been waiting 5 months just to get my FIRST INFORMAL HEARING from AIG & the dept. of Labour!! By LAW they are supposed to respond within 14 days of filing a claim. IT IS IN WRITING. THEY ARE BREAKING THE LAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

crazedchef
Imagine, there are people here who work the hours without the uplift right here. Companies don't want to offer benefits etc and you are up the creek when the demand for mandatory overtime comes. How about the times when your colleagues call in sick every other day.. who does their job? So, here you are, you need the money to pay your bills, you have no choice because it is mandatory or get fired. I know many people who are going for the hardship tours because they don't have any benefits and work three to four jobs to survive paying your mortgage and putting food on the table right here. Maybe there's no comparison to what you endure right now from your point of view and it is ridiculous how many hoops you have to jump through to make all the wrongs right.
Somehow we have to believe that things will change for the better of all of us... soon!
Take care and good luck!

Adam Covington in Gallatin, Tennessee said: I cant tell you the actual base pay for a Carpenter, but I am guessing you would probably be making 7500 to 8500 a month, Maybe a bit more. But remember, You are not paying taxes, that is huge. to take home 8000 dollars a month in the states, you would have to be making like 13,500 a month.

I haven't read thru all this yet. I'm new. I'd like to add that they just recently started taking out Social Security and Medicare taxes. Even though no income taxes are taken out, a hit of almost $1000 is taken each month from my husband's check. I have no problem with paying SS & Medicare and neither does he, but it sure does it hard.

I believe the base pay for a Carpenter is $2853.00 for the Americans. That would net a check of about $5700.00 after SS and FICA. This is based on a 4 week payday, and another $1300.00 on a five week payday. This could very depending on insurance cost and employee draws.

Debbie

Debbie Creery in Gatesville, Texas said: I believe the base pay for a Carpenter is $2853.00 for the Americans. That would net a check of about $5700.00 after SS and FICA. This is based on a 4 week payday, and another $1300.00 on a five week payday. This could very depending on insurance cost and employee draws.

Debbie

Do you know anything about the tax break if you switch from one company to another? Will that be loss?

Debbie Creery in Gatesville, Texas said: No that was a two-way ticket. I just meant that he flew into Houston, ticket prices vary depending on where you fly into. KBR will charge you more for a ticket then you can get a ticket for thru travelocity, cheap tickets, etc. KBR will also take out of your check for the full cost of ticket before you fly out then you will get the $850.00 back on the check with your R&R pay.

Debbie

I have a question about the flight ticket. I was told that you could get a ticket cheaper yourself, but if there is a delay or lay over in transisition to home or back, you just lose your money if you miss your flight. Is this true or is there another way.

For those of you have gone thru the processing in Houston.....are you allowed to wear sweatpants/tennis shoes during this process or must you wear jeans and or kakhi's with collared shirt as they mention in the employment packet or is this dress only necessary once you get to Iraq?

My son said they "MADE" him sign a 673 to take federal taxes out of his pay. Is ther anyway to get this cancelled. I am guessing that he will be unable to get his tax money back until he files an amended return next Sept after his 365 days?

Joe's Mom