Life at Arik Air

[little bo]

I know this may have been discussed before but can't seem to find any recent and relevant info. I am wandering if anyone out in Lagos working for Arik Air at the moment has any comments. I am especially interested in the new compound, way of life, fellow ex pats... all information would be gratefully appreciated.

[asacrj]

Did you guys really search anything?

http://www.pprune.org/african-aviation/327387-arik-air.html

It only took me about less than a minute

[GAFA Pilot]

asacrj wrt Did you guys really search anything?Yes we do!

The thread you've pointed to was started on 18th May '08 and runs (across 3 pages) until 27th July '08... and (aside from one reasonably informative reply), consists mostly of verbiage and rant about the apparent good & bad points of Nigeria(ns), and therein it contains very little specifics about 'Life at ArikAir'.... which is, after all, the opening title of this thread.

Things are most certainly quite a bit different now than how they were at the end of July'08... The price of fuel has been up and down faster than a whores drawers; Numerous airlines have gone bust; Much of the world is in financial turmoil & economic recession.

So, wrt 'Life at ArikAir', what some of us would like to know is (Nb. this is not an exhaustive list and is in no particular order):


What's the latest wrt accommodation (there's been mention of some sort of dedicated compound being built)?
Is the accommodation, clean, tidy, safe, (pics)?
What's the location of the accommodation like (pics?) and / or are there places to go? Eat out? etc...
Transport to and from the airport. Is it reliable? Safe? How long does it take?
What's the work / rosters like? Sectors per day? Length of working day? Hours per month? Number of days off? etc...
Is the fuel policy sensible or is it just 'fumes' on arrival?
Are the pax loads good?
What's the latest news / developments on the company route structure?
What's the management culture like?
Is 'safety a priority'?
Are the aircraft being well maintained?
Is there a proper safety reporting system, aircraft fitted with QAR's, etc?
How long does it really take to get a Nigerian licence validation?
What's the training like?
How long before one gets On Line / Line Checked?
The Master Contract makes mention (but without amounts) of a 2 year bond for 'Line Training capability'. Anybody care to explain?
Are crews paid on time?
How much off-the-top do the agencies take (and / or is it better to be employed directly by Arik, or through an Agency)?
How does the time-on / time-off rotation work in practice?
What's it like personal safety wise?
What's the cost of living like in Lagos / Nigeria?
Are the cabin crew good looking? :O
What's the cost of a nice large cold 'Star' or 'Gulder'? :ok:
Which is more lethal, mosies or night fighters? :uhoh:
etc, etc, etc.

So, anybody who's either joining, or is at, or has been at, ArikAir care to try and answer the above?

Nb. Those wishing to make generalisations about Nigeria(ns) need not respond.

GAFA Pilot

[Klogic]

:confused:

[GAFA Pilot]

The GAFA.... aka the 'Great African F*** All'.... aka Sahara Desert... over which I've spent many a happy hour cruising along in the upper atmosphere! :ok:

[asacrj]

Mr Gafa pilot,

Did you ask and got answer to all these question before joining your current employer???

[B767PL]

I would be also interested in the answers to the questions GAFA Pilot has. As a matter of fact, almost all of mine are in there as well. :)

[GAFA Pilot]

Did you ask and got answer to all these question before joining your current employer??? For the most part, the answer to your question is: "Yes!"

If you'd like, I could explain the rationale behind each and every one of those Q's, but wherein the general idea is to garner some info about lifestyle & living arrangements, work patterns, remuneration, and safety, etc (and in case you didn't get it, those last 3 Q's above the "etc, etc, etc's"... in that list are by way of a little joke... that is, err, unless you do happen to have the answers to those?! :) ).

When you think about the questions & background checks that a prospective employer conducts upon a prospective employee, it would seem only prudent that an employee does the same wrt the employer. You might call it 'risk management by both sides' ?!

Perhaps the worst possible outcome, for both the employer & employee alike, is for someone to travel to some place far from home, no doubt full of hopes & aspirations (but maybe without the full picture?!) only to find that it doesn't fit with what they were hoping for.
It's quite possible that they'll then feel let down, disillusioned, unhappy... and thence can't wait to run back from whence they came. Staff turnover then gets high (which is expensive for a whole host of reasons), which then puts pressure on those remaining (i.e. they've got to take up the slack), morale then takes a dive, and before you know it the whole thing can be teetering towards spiralling inwards,

I'm sure that those at Arik have experienced the highs & lows of the start-up phase, and are probably now going through the pains of expansion. The hard part is to keep the momentum of the start-up phase, whilst consolidating what is there (building on solid foundations), plus keeping standards (and morale) high. That takes good management, and by all accounts the team at Arik are a good team (indeed they wouldn't have got this far, this quick, if they weren't! ). Imho, it also requires picking the right people, from top to bottom, hanging on to them, and motivating them.... which in essence is what 'teamwork' is all about.

I suppose, in summary, one could say that it's much better to have a team of dedicated / high-calbre professionals whom are where they want to be, instead of those whom are only involved as a short-term'ism, and / or whom arrive without the full picture, and / or whom arrive wearing rose tinted glasses... (which is somewhat ironic given that my excellent Serengeti sunglasses are indeed 'rose tinted' :} )

Many years ago, I used to work at the BA low-cost airline 'Go', a truly inspirational place with some of the best esprit de corps that it's ever been my privilege and pleasure to be involved with... a place where one of the overriding policies was about being 'Open & Honest'.... they also had a truly excellent scheme under the title of 'Go MAD' (MAD = Make A Difference) which encouraged the staff (both in house and also those of main service providers) to be actively involved and to make suggestions to improve things.

If ever any of you want a good read, then pick up the book called 'Nuts' (ISBN: 978-0767901840) - all 'Go' management were given a copy - it's the story about Southwest Airlines,... Nuff said!

I've digressed a fair bit in this reply but I hope you'll indulge the genuine good-intent that it's meant to portray?

[asacrj]

Fair enough Gafa and good luck with your search.

[mistarose]

anyone have the answers yet?

[stue]

Anything? Would be quite interested also?

[BALEWA]

Too many questions!!!

Why not do just what this fella did 2 months ago! He came to lagos on his own to see Arik, got an interview and made it through. His just completed sim and about to get online.

Loads of nice people here at Arik and believe me Lagos is not Mumbai. :E

B

[outofhereoyibo]

yeah... lagos in not mumbai. in mumbai you can walk around without guards with AK-47'S.....

[Revnetwork]

Oyibo,
For some reason, everyone always brings up the armed guards and this continues the "myth" that everyone needs armed guards to move around Lagos.
Lagos CAN be dangerous, mostly for those people who are only here for 24hrs or don't know their way around. Which is why practically ALL the airlines provide guards as they should under "duty of care". This then creates the "myth" that all expats in LOS use armed guards.
If all the expats in LOS needed armed guards, there wouldn't be enough to go round! Have you seen foreigners "whites" moving around with no guards whatsoever? I have - every day I go out. Just spend an hour on a busy Lagos road looking at the passing vehicles and I'm sure you should very easily count more than a hundred expats in vehicles with no armed guards whatsoever.
We also have to remember that sometimes, it's the security companies who talk up the risks in order to keep their businesses going. - I'm not saying there isn't danger but it's sometimes blown out of proportion. I recently visited JNB and when I wanted to take a taxi (which I regularly do in LOS), my Nigerian friend who lives there advised against it. What does that say? That JNB is more dangerous than LOS? I couldn't say based on my 3 days there.
Some expats on this board have replied that they enjoyed the place, others didn't! Each to his own.
I have been here for 3 years now, and move with armed guards very rarely - mostly after dark. I just make the decision not to go out after dark. My boss, the CFO, lots of pilots and engineers and other ancillary staff in my company who are all whites DON'T constantly move around with guards - and they are all white. Heck I don't think the ARIK CEO has armed guards (I stand to be corrected - I don't work at ARIK). We are constantly sent SMS's from security with any ongoing black spots and which areas of town to avoid. Each then makes this/her own decision on how to proceed.
In conclusion, LOS CAN have it's hairy moments but that everyone takes the necessary precautions as we would anywhere else in the world. PHC is another matter.
Sorry can't contribute anything about the lifestyle at ARIK as I don't work there.

[spinproof]

Just got an email Friday that they are not hiring for the CRJ. The October 16th assessments have been cancelled. Are they not getting more -900's in 2009? Does anyone know what gives????

[LOS]

Pictures from someone working at Arik: Christian?s Photography World (http://www.ettelt.com/Nigeria_Pictures/Nigeria_Pictures.html)

[BALEWA]

Spinproof, Hi, CRJ positions currently filled up but might resume after line training of the new recruits are completed. Most are locals out of fresh training and all moved directly on the CRJ's.

Concerning more CRJ aircrafts arriving, its mostly the Dash8 I know about in that category.

outofhereoyibo waaz up!!! long time :E

[spinproof]

Thanks for the update.

[Jeffdh17]

What great pics of Life at Arik. A very big help in deciding whether or not to accept an offer of employment. Thank you again....

[WhatThe?]

Flying D8's in Canada, looking for a change of scenery. Are they hiring now for Dash's ??

[Jeffdh17]

I believe they are still hiring for the D-8. I am in Toronto doing initial for it right now. Protec Technical is their recruiter along with Sigmar I believe. I used Protec. You can also go directly through Arik I believe. All 3 companies have websites for the application process.

[biggie]

u guys can stay in ur country and make money, u dont have to come down to nigeria. thanks:cool:

[amerioca]

Many questions Gafa Pilot. I can not answer all of them, as it is 18 months ago ever since I have been there and Christian?s Photography World (http://www.ettelt.com/Nigeria_Pictures/Pages/My_Home_House_J_-_06.09.08.html) is defiantly a good source to see, how the surroundings look like and the housing.

They may have changed the FO Director, which was a Nigerian with US Passport and FAA ATP. That guy was a real p................ and had not a lot of sympathies for expat pilots.

Housing, Food and Safety (it really is an issue in Lagos) is good and fair but you will fly to the absolute max and DO NOT get sick. It is not in their book (or at least was not when I was there) and the Malaria Prophylaxis hits your liver hard. While the compound is in Ikeja, closed to the airport, which is convenient for transpo, not a lot of social life (you won't have time for that anyway) as there is not a lot there and safety precautions limit you to a high extent. Some people used to go to the Sheraton when off duty, where there is some restaurants, a bar and a night club.

A/C specific I can not answer your questions as I was not on the CRJ's.

[skytango1]

All you guys is it that bad,,,really????GOD HELP US..

Skytango

[Ben178v]

What's the latest wrt accommodation You will stay in one of 5 or 6 hotels all have pros and cons, I am in the de-vine which is much s the photos on there website. Good internet, clean rooms and the food is ok. Two weeks here and no deli belly.
What's the location of the accommodation like (pics?) and / or are there places to go? Eat out? etc...My hotel is 5 mins drive from the Sheraton as are a couple of the others. You can walk around if you like but there is not a lot around. The island is hours away in the trafic.
Transport to and from the airport. Is it reliable? Safe? How long does it take?There is transport throughout the day it is always a minibus and usually comes with an armed guard. It takes around 20/30 mins to get to the airport
What's the work / rosters like? Sectors per day? Length of working day? Hours per month? Number of days off? etc...The rules are 100hrs in 28 days be ready to fly them all. You can do anything from 2 to 6 sectors a day. With around 1 nightstop a week.
Is the fuel policy sensible or is it just 'fumes' on arrival?Fuel is currently changing it was take everything for your whole trip but fuel burns are being monitored with a view to putting a policy in place.
What's the latest news / developments on the company route structure?Lots of rumours. London is bout to start. They want to start to the US and international flight.
Are the aircraft being well maintained?The maintenance is done by lufthansa
How long does it really take to get a Nigerian licence validation?Around 4 to 8 weeks
The Master Contract makes mention (but without amounts) of a 2 year bond for 'Line Training capability'. Anybody care to explain?Read it again or get an updated copy it says that the bond will last as long as the training qualifies you for ie Prof check 6 months = Bond 6 months
Are crews paid on time?Budget to be paid 10 - 14 days late
How does the time-on / time-off rotation work in practice?8 weeks on 4 weeks off depending what fleet/contract you are on.
What's it like personal safety wise?No problem whatsoever in the hotel. I don't imagine there is a problem in the daytime either but never had a reason to go out.
What's the cost of living like in Lagos / Nigeria?You can come here and spend nothing. Arik pay for all your food and water and a couple of softies a day. You buy beer yourself if you want it.
Are the cabin crew good looking?
Which is more lethal, mosies or night fighters? Not seen either yet

If you come here bring books, laptops, dvds or whatever else you need to fill your time. They will quite happily have you here paying you to do nothing while they wait for your validation to come through. Hence I have even got bored enough to post on Pprune.

[Ben178v]

I tried to post a reply on life at arik but it went to be moderated and never got posted. Dunno why as I didn't say anything bad cos it is ok over here.

[stue]

Ben178v, any chance you could PM me with the post? Just got the OK from them, but not decided to take it yet.

Cheers

[davecfm56]

Some things appear to have changed since ameriocas time.

Although security is a matter of personal opinion it doesn't seem to be an issue with the expat community here at present.

If you are sick and tell operations they accept it and do not force you to fly.

Rapidly expanding expat community.

You do max out on hours and it is up to you to track yours accurately and tell ops when you are out of hours.

Currently expats are in hotels scattered around the airport that vary in standard, neither ourselves nor Arik is happy about the situation as it creates transport problems amongst other things. Eventually this will change as they're building western standard accommodation for the expats in a nice area.

It isn't bad here at all, just don’t come expecting it to be Europe or the US. I don’t know about anyone else but I came here to fly and want to max out on my hours.

Friday is still Sheraton night.

[ClearedToCrush]

Anyone knows the tel contact of the HR or the person who is dealing with recruitment , i would like to have a word with them.

[Gambia-track]

First let me say that I am not a pilot. However I do have a fairly substantial amount of knowledge concerning the West African Aviation community. From the last 5 years I have been involved in it directly and indirectly from Senegal to Camaroon. I have spent a few weeks in Lagos pursuing the aviation game and found that if you are an adventurous soul and don't let the distractions cloud your mind, you can have a great time there. It is like anyplace else that is different from what you are used to, learn the rules, get a guide, ie. someone that you trust, and be fair with the people. You can have a very good and safe time. Just don't be stupid, the Nigerians are very good at finding weakness in a situation and exploiting it as possible. Just don't let that happen and things will be fine.

As far as PPrune: The questions that you have asked are good and honest questions, some of the responses treat the questions as if they are not worth their time. Others take a very typical Nigerian approach (sorry guys but you need to look at the realistic way you respond to anything that has to do with Nigeria) and claim predgidous, whitey, expat, what ever! You guys really need to get over this issue of protectionism and learn that if we all don't start working together to salvage aviation in Africa, we will simply stay behind the financial curve of the world economy.

You may be right! and I may not be right! But if we work together, Africa has a tremendously bright future, and Nigeria should and can lead the way.

Random thoughts by a Yankee that is missing West Africa.

[KOLDO]

Good evening everybody,

Well...how to start my reply to the topic, letś say that "gringo" missing West Africa is right.
i do agree 100% it is true Africa has a brilliant future, and it is up to everybody involved to see it soon.

Of course, do not expect the same play rules like Europe or America, open your mind and try to learn as much as you can, because as much as you travel, the better for you regarding culture shock, environment, etc.

All around the world the values are pretty much the same. Normal people regardless of race, religion, wants the same basic things from life.

About aviation, nobody knows it all. Nobody.

We all learn in a day by day basis. Please do not come with the "I knows it all about", or "we do things like this in my company" attitude.
First, "your" company was not yours, and on top of it does not exist anymore. :=
So you left your country to come here looking for greener pastures.

Do not try to be any kind of fake leader among your fellows, at the end everyone can survive by itself.:cool:

After my very personal opinion about the dos and donts, I truly believe in the nowadays pioneering. Only those willing to do anything beyond will flavour that feeling.
Sacrifice is also involved, everything has a price, but if thigs are fair it will be worth the effort.:D

Sorry gents, philosopher time is over. See you soon

[Sir Osis of the river]

"Africa has a tremendously bright future and Nigeria can lead the way"

Good stuff you smokin bro:eek:

[biggie]

KOLDO, that was a nice thing to say, thanks:hmm:

[aka575]

no, i wanna double or in some cases triple my income and still talk trash about the country.

[WhatThe?]

Are there any other bases besides Lagos? Anything in Abuja? Regional ops.

thanks

[Sindree]

Great thread! Good to hear words of advice and thoughts of those who have been in Africa in general, and also those who are.

Anyways, I have a few questions about Arik Air that I thought I'd throw in aswell..

I have wanted to apply to Arik since I first saw they were going to start up.. somewhat stupid I know, but I liked theyr plans and outlooks, and now it seems like they might just work aswell.. Anywho, I know that they earlyer had a cadet pilot scheme on theyr website.. Does anyone know if they have discontinued this?
I am currently working on my FAA CPL, and would like to go there right away really, but I reccon that they have a hour minimum for theyr pilots..?

Also, I didn't really find if it is enough with a CPL or if I should knock out my JAA convertion and ATPL befor I apply?

Thank you for any answers!