Africa

[Jonahproject]

Any expats hired to fly in Africa?

 

[jafo20]

I was there. What do you want to know?

 

[Jonahproject]

Oh I guess I'm kinda curious what the lifestyle is like. Are there any good jobs out there. I've heard numerous things about Africa but most of it seems to be second hand. Maybe you can enlighten me.

 

[NAAPilot]

I know that Arik Airlines in Lagos, Nigeria is hiring expats. Pretty good money to fly a CRJ700. Lagos is a horrible place though. Not sure who else is hiring expats out there.

 

[jafo20]

Arik, Aero and Virgin Nigeria pick up expats, like NAA said. You have to be careful about who's paying you, where you're staying, etc. Nigeria isn't a bad place to be, but the city of Lagos is pretty miserable. I remember seeing, like six or seven 747s sitting in Kano that are used almost exclusively for Hajj runs. Perhaps you could swing something like that, get a taste of African stuff, and decide if you want to pursue a longer contract on the continent?

Again, you can make some decent coin over there. I think a lot of guys get African gigs using those crew-staffing websites. NAA can tell you more about it.

 

[Jonahproject]

Can't seem to find any kind of payscales for these airlines. What kind of coin are we talking about. Also, what is life like in say Lagos. Would I be better of looking for work out of Joburg. Thanks for all the input so far.

 

[jafo20]

I'll start with the bad stuff.

Lagos has really bad traffic, especially after 5 or 6, when the traffic cops (guys in orange shirts) go home. Sometimes it takes, like, three hours to hitch a ride to the Sheraton or Planet One (a couple miles, if that) from the airport. Crime is kinda bad. There are places for expats to go hang out, etc, but I wouldn't recommend walking around alone to see the sights. You kinda stick to your own turf, it that makes sense.

That said, if your housing is decent, and you have good people taking care of you, you can totally get by in Lagos. There are numerous South African and American pilots based there. Once the initial culture shock wears off, you'll get used to the whole thing.

I guess it's like Detroit on steroids. There are certain places you just don't go, and there are certain situations you want to avoid, but you can function there.

When I left Nigeria, one of those airlines was talking about basing guys in Abuja. If you can live in Abuja, you're all set.

 

[ContractFlyer]

WAL Gambia will be hiring ex pats BUT...one of the owners is the main guy who stuck World for a couple million $$'s in that Rite Time Travel deal. Am guessing that you won't get paid....

 

[414Flyer]

three hours to hitch a ride to the Sheraton or Planet One (a couple miles, if that) from the airport.

I would never ever ever recommend hitching a ride in Lagos.

 

[coastinout]

Talked to a training instructor for Arik air a few months ago in Lagos while on an overnight. He said they were paying $10,000US/month for Captains on the crj-900, and B-737-3.
He said the schedule was 8 weeks on/4 weeks off. But they were trying to go to 6 weeks on/6 weeks off I believe.
Lagos is definitely screwed up, but if you stay in the hotel, make some friends, find some people you trust(especially some other expats), you could probably get by).
I would definitely find out about your security, I.E., are you escorted back and forth to the airport? We are escorted by 2 trucks, both with 4 guys, with their own AK-47. Nobody has F*&^%$ with us yet!
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Coastinout