Africa Flying

[jafo20]

I'm gonna be going on a 1 year deployment to Nigeria soon. Anybody, especially those of you who have worked expat jobs, have advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[Jolly]

Don't go! Lagos is a cesspool and there are real security issues.

 

[30West]

Some sage advice: If you can find a better job someplace else, take it.
Nigeria is crooked. Carry cash. Do not use your own credit card for anything.
Don't drive after dark, Always verify who your driver is before you get into the van to the airport. Insist on operable door locks, watch them and make sure they do.
If staying at a hotel, a common scam is to get a call from an airport "representative" telling you that your report time or van time has changed. Usually comes early in the morning. When checking out of a hotel or paying your tab, count your change.
Take the old adage "Trust but verify", change it to "Question everything, and verify twice" and you'll be fine.

When flying, keep your eyes peeled and check the TCAS often. Aviation in Nigeria seems to be rapidly outgrowing it's infrastructure.
I am using Lagos as an example. More than 3 on the freq and the controllers can rapidly lose control of the airspace. Particularly Lagos Radar 124.7.

On the other hand, it beats the same old domestic milk run day after day. Good luck!

 

[moonlight]

.....

 

[JohnnyP]

....

Bottled water.

And 30West's advice about the checking the TCAS is good. Those Russians can appear out of nowhere. Ive never been to Nigeria, but good luck, im sure youll get some stories.

 

[jafo20]

Very cool. Thanks for the advice all. Especially about the scams that are pulled with representatives of the airport, etc.

I was reading some of the state dept. reports on crime in Abuja. Anyone have advice on how/who to go to get decent security for your residence? Looks like home invasions are a big thing in Abuja and Lagos.

Are USD the best currency to carry around, or should a guy have some Euros, Pounds, and Naira stashed as well?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[jafo20]

How far do tips (bribes) get you with airport officials? How much money should a guy expect to tip out on a typical day? Thanks again for the help.

 

[mccube5]

Jafo20, if you don't mind me asking what exactly are you gonna be doing in Africa? Who will you be working for and what is your background that Africa was where your career brought you?

 

[Speedbird34]

Hey it is not that bad!

Nigeria has it problems but is fine really for an expat. Lots of Americans, Australians and British flying and working out there. Money is quite good. You have Virgin Nigeria, Aero Contractors and Arik air operating anything from CRJ 900, 737-300, Airbus 320,340 to dash 8. Lots of helicopter operators flying some of the most advance chopper fleets in the world.
Nigeria is Africa largest producer of crude oil and you have bueatiful hotels like the Meridian Port harcourt to stay at. You will enjoy life as an expat. If you are single some really bueatiful girls out there for the open minded. lots of white dudes married to local women. Stay away from hookers you have a pretty good chance with educated extremely well raised and educated ladies with excellent careers.
The money to carry around with you is the Naira. The local currency. Open a foreign account or dollar account and keep some dollars there. The rest of your cash send back to the USA. Do not keep cash at home in large amounts. out there you have servants who do every thing for you from washing your clothes, ironing them, serving your meals etc. Get ready to be treated like a mini god, a colonial master and expereince what the British enjoyed and still enjoy in Africa. Be careful with were you hang out. make freinds locally with the locals and a huge expat group to show you the way. It is not that bad rarely is a whiteman killed by robbers. Africa still adores the white man, You may get poor people beg you for money but with your income in nigeria you are amoung the rich. Have fun and build excellent flight time and then return home to American and watch yourself shine. You will be very marketable when you return with all that jet time.
God luck and go to church when out there. God bless and enjoy Africa it is truely bueatiful inspite of the negatives.

 

[Publishers]

It really is a matter of attitude and education.

 

[capnflyright]

Will you be flying the Avionco contract with the Hawkers or flying Jetstreams for CFM?

 

[Ghetto Buck]

Speed Bird Your Comments are so true

It really is a matter of attitude and education.

I currently work in Lagos and am incharge of flight operations for one of those companies yopu mentioned.
I have been there a few months and can say that for paranoid self centered egotistical Americans. Lagos is the wrong place because Their Attitude does cause them more grief than other expat groups.
The key to survival here is to blend in and make relationships with the locals, they are really good trusting folks who are no different than you or I.
How ever if you are not smart enough to learn the ropes or have an "American Attitude" then you will not last long here.
"IT REALLY IS A MATTER OF ATTITUDE"

 

[Ghetto Buck]

Avionco

Will you be flying the Avionco contract with the Hawkers or flying Jetstreams for CFM?

If you are considering flying in the contract world .Do your self a favour
STAY AWAY FROM AVIONCO!!! They have a poor record when it comes to paying!!!!! AVIONCO> RICHWORTH AVIATION> EURO PACIFIC AVIATION.
These are agencies that a prey on in experienced and un suspecting folks.
the money is never there on time and Avionco always changes their T'& C's thats a sign that they have no money!!

BE WARNED!!

There are New CRJ-200 Drivers in Lagos who are just finding this out!

 

[capnflyright]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience(s) with Americans Ghetto Buck. However, there are still a lot of we Americans trudging around the jungles of Africa doing our best to change the way we are viewed.

Thank you for the info regarding Avionco. I had applied and was contacted by them. The salary and benefits sounded tremendous, but if you never receive your paycheck it's worthless.

I had applied for a position with CFM, but haven't heard anything as of yet.

Dig the twin otter in your avatar, looks like us going into a couple of strips here in the RDC.

 

[inline]

I currently work in Lagos and am incharge of flight operations for one of those companies yopu mentioned.
I have been there a few months and can say that for paranoid self centered egotistical Americans. Lagos is the wrong place because Their Attitude does cause them more grief than other expat groups.
The key to survival here is to blend in and make relationships with the locals, they are really good trusting folks who are no different than you or I.
How ever if you are not smart enough to learn the ropes or have an "American Attitude" then you will not last long here.
"IT REALLY IS A MATTER OF ATTITUDE"

Those pesky Americans also provide more food and medicine to Africa than any other. And by the way, I've flown with scores of non-citizens here in the U.S. and many are gratefull for the opportunity but some bitch and complain and make no attempt to fit in. It works both ways.

 

[Ghetto Buck]

Those pesky Americans also provide more food and medicine to Africa than any other. And by the way, I've flown with scores of non-citizens here in the U.S. and many are gratefull for the opportunity but some bitch and complain and make no attempt to fit in. It works both ways.

See its precisely that attitude i'm speaking about. Do your self a favour mate if you want to fight then go to Iraq, maybe you can do some good there.
But if you want to make a meaningful change to this perception that is barring "Good Americans" from being taken seriously then.
Change your Attitude. That change starts with everyone who travel to a foriegn land.
Including me.

GB

 

[flyinlow67]

What kind of times are competitive for jobs in Africa, and what types of jobs are they? Airline, freight, exec? A little of all?