It would seem that beautiful downtown Hassi Messaoud is just a way-station for newbies to be trained and observed. If I do not exhibit any suicidal or homicidal tendencies then they move me on from there to my regular duty station, a place no one else wants, since I shall be the newest of newbies.
This would seem to mean that Saudi is less preferable to Angola. Jeez!
You are at much risk of a mid-air collision with a pig as of seeing me back. I left deep psychic scars on that small-souled son of the Fatherland, such that I don't get to go back before he leaves. Given that he's one of those types nobody much wants that means that I am safe from myself and my insane 'nostalgia de la boue de Isolo' for the indefinite future. It looks as if it should be NEO who turns off the generator for the last time, then. I had thought that job was reserved for me but I was wrong. Not that I seem to have missed the collapse by much, mind you!
If I were that way made it would cheer me up no end to read about all the trouble coming down in southern Nigeria. As it is, I can only wish some of my gloomier predictions were not coming true. Who needs all this trouble? All of the big men behind today's situation are sure to have things all sorted out with second homes someplace nice and settled, leaving their unhappy brothers and any expats fool enough to stick around to struggle through. Good luck with that one.
Chuks,
If you should pass through Bahrain coming and fro'ing from Saudi....please to stop by Rick's Country Kitchen for BBQ and pickup an application to join the Generals Ward and Chennault China Post 1 of the American Legion, Shanghai, China (Operating in Exile). Membership costs but a mere 25USD and Rick's has some very good BBQ and Margaritas.
Do stay away from Ned Kelly's....they serve an awful imitation of beer...a thing they call Foster's.
Keep yer eyes peeled for an evil wee Aussie who claims to be a helicopter pilot and a TA osifer in the OZ mob. He is an evil little man who will lead you astray with drink.
Last edited by SASless : 8th January 2007 at 22:40.
Just to throw something out there, even though it sounds like most of the time people working in Nigeria and the like for Bristow and CHC seem unhappy, I have actually wanted to come and work there. The tricky part is that even though a lot of people are saying that both companies are short on pilots, I have been applying for a position for quite some time. Maybe I dont have the requirements for working with these companies, but I have friends who were hired with a lot less time and experience than I have. So I am not sure what the deal is and would be interested to hear on any feedback and advice with who to apply to and should I bother trying anymore. To give you an idea on my background I am a 2100 hour pilot, flying A-stars. Got a lot of bush experience, fighting fires, long lining, oil and gas support, a couple of hundred hours offshore and a few hundred night. I hold a FAA CPL(H) & Instrument Rating and a Canadian CPL(H). Any words of wisdom are welcome. Thanks all and here's to a good New Year!
It seems to me from what you've said that what you're missing to be hired for Nigeria is twin time and an ATPL. Your best bet is to try Bristow as they could hire you to fly 206/407 initially or offer you a copilot post on S76.
No, Nigeria is not JAR-related wth regard to licencing. Either you have a Nigerian licence (not issued to expats for several years now) or they will validate any verified, current, ICAO licence after you have passed a Nigerian Air Law exam. However, you must have a licence which either of the major companies can keep current. CHC prefer Canadian and Bristow either FAA or JAA.
Question's for those that are currently down there or that have recently returned to civilisation.
Whats the current situation there at the minute like.
For a guy with a fresh Ir ticket whats the pay like is it tax free etc.
Current rostering is it 6 weeks on 6 off at present or other.
Flights home every period paid for by company
Is accomadation provided at present
What kind of machines are presently in use
And any other relevant information would be much appreciated.
Some people find it difficult to believe that Nigeria is as dangerous as has been said. Bristow and CHC are not paying extra money for staff to go there without good reason (and they're still not paying enough in my opinion ). I had many happy years in Nigeria and I was sad to leave, but I'd have to think twice in present circumstances. So you can see what the government is failing to deal with, here are some excerpts from an ABC e-mail interview with the leader of MEND:
Quote:
ABC Online Interview With MEND
The following are excerpts from an e-mail interview conducted by Brian Ross with a person who calls himself Jomo and the leader of MEND. While it is impossible to verify with absolute certainty that the author of the e-mails is in fact who he claims to be, messages from the same e-mail address accurately informed ABC News and other organizations of impending MEND attacks in Nigeria and provided photos of hostages the author says are in his group's custody.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
Are you the leader or commander of MEND? What is your background?
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto:yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
I am the leader of Mend and all militias in the niger delta. No authority supersedes mine.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
Let me start by asking you to describe the goals of your organization, its size and its current activities.
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto: yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
The movement for the emancipation of the niger delta (MEND) is an amalgam of all arm bearing groups in the niger delta fighting for the control of oil revenue by indegenes of the niger delta who have had relatively no benefits from the exploitation of our mineral resources by the nigerian government and oil companies over the last fifty years.
We are spread across the 6 states of the niger delta and have in our ranks approximately five thousand fighters, two thousand of whom are presently active. Our camps are regularly overwhelmed by volunteers who we have to turn back for now as there is presently no need to increase our fighter strenght.
Our aim on inception was to attract international attention to the plight of the people of the delta and the injustice the world has been turning a blind eye to. That obviously had no effect on the nigerian government and oil companies so we have progressed to the next stage of our campaign which is limited attacks on oil installations and administrative facilities. This also appears to be doing little good and we are now considering the next phase which will be a more ruthless approach to our objective.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
What do you mean when you say you are considering a "more ruthless approach"?
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto: yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
We have sent out numerous warnings to oil companies and everyone who cares to listen. We want the oil companies to leave the niger delta now. We have been careful when setting off car bombs to avoid civilian casualties.
When our fighters attack creek based installations, they have also been careful to avoid what americans call collateral damage.
We have a growing radical majority in our ranks who are of the opinion that our soft methods are not working. They appear to be correct because the nigerian government and oil companies are still not taking us seriously. We have the capacity to be as ruthless and as callous as attacks witnessed in iraq. We are capable of setting off as many car bombs as we wish and pack them full of shrapnel to maximize casuality. Our fighters can set rigs on fire with all the occupants onboard. This is a final option which we are toying with.
The world must act now or we will be forced to go down this road from which there will be no return.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
Given that statement, is it fair to call your group a terrorist organization?
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto: yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It depends on who is looking at us. To the oppressed impoverished people of the niger delta, we are angels. If we are terrorists to the oil companies and the nigerian government, so be it.
Our intention is to chase out the oil companies from the niger delta and if it takes terror to achieve this objective, we will very well employ that option.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
At this time, how many hostages do you hold?
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto: yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
We have four hostages but were working on getting more. Why do we take hostages and why do we need more? The nigerian government pretends to be operating a democracy while what we have in reality is an autocratic despot lording over hapless nigerians.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
What is the current status of the four hostages you are holding? Are there photos of them to prove they are alive? Are their Lives at risk?
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto:yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
They are well. We will allow doctors from medicins sans frontier to visit them soon for a check up. They are alive and we sent out pictures to prove we were holding them and they are well. They are presently being watched by guards under instruction to shoot them if any attempt is made to release them without proper authorization. It is unusual for us to execute prisoners in our custody. It has never happened in fact. They will eventually be released when our conditions have been met.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
Given the importance of Nigerian oil to the United States, don't you think the US military or intelligence agents will make attempts to stop your group? Some have suggested that MEND even has ties to al Queida.
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto:yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
We understand and are very well prepared for this eventuality. The blacks of the united states had to fight for their freedom as did the blacks of south africa in spite of the odds stacked against them. We are fighting a just cause and are prepared to fight against the us army if we have to.
Al queida is now an excuse for us involvement all over the world. That and george bush's war on terror. The niger delta is in the south of nigeria and we are dominantly christian. Any muslim from the delta is a convert to islam and i assure you they will be in the early hundreds at the most. How can we then be aligned with a radical islamic group so far away from us?
What we are fighting for needs no explanation. It is there for all to see and i am willing to bet that the us army will mutiny when they see the living conditions of the people of the niger delta. How can you explain a situation where we account for all nigerias wealth and we live without electricity in shacks made of cardboard and straw? How can you explain my people drinking from salty creeks in which they bath and defecate?
For those wishing to see an ABC news video of what's happening, including more details of MEND and interviews with an ex-hostage, here's alink to the video: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2780376
Your recent post explains why I left Nigeria almost two years ago. I started flying for BHL in 1990 and it was easy to see the political changes taking place (ie.the Biafra now posters). MEND seems to be the first attempt to improve the conditions of the Niger Delta's population and not just a gang of thugs. Two tours flying in Viet Nam has shown me the power of nationalistic and political causes. If the MEND organization ratchets up the level of violence it will attract the sensationalism seeking world press.
As to the justness of MEND's cause? I never thought of myself as a bad guy, but I'm not so sure I was working for the good guys. I hope a peaceful resolution can be found to this unpleasant situation in the Niger delta. Until then fly safe and keep your heads down.
One only has to visit Opukushi (for one example) and see the abject poverty and complete lack of any expenditure of money by the village chiefs, tribal leaders, oil company, or the government of any kind.....while literally Millions upon Millions of dollars worth of oil have been pumped out of the wells surrounding the village.
One will be told the money was spent but the evidence proves it never got to the common folk.
I am solidly in support of the need to better provide for the people of the delta....perhaps the likes of MEND and others of their persuasion are the only way that will happen.
When MEND attacks the Oil Companies and the "expat support" they are taking on the government. They are attacking the government at their weakest point, THE POCKET BOOK! Even though expats aren't working directly for the Nigerian government, their work is supporting the main source of government revenue.
Just to throw something out there, even though it sounds like most of the time people working in Nigeria and the like for Bristow and CHC seem unhappy, I have actually wanted to come and work there. The tricky part is that even though a lot of people are saying that both companies are short on pilots, I have been applying for a position for quite some time. Maybe I dont have the requirements for working with these companies, but I have friends who were hired with a lot less time and experience than I have. So I am not sure what the deal is and would be interested to hear on any feedback and advice with who to apply to and should I bother trying anymore. To give you an idea on my background I am a 2100 hour pilot, flying A-stars. Got a lot of bush experience, fighting fires, long lining, oil and gas support, a couple of hundred hours offshore and a few hundred night. I hold a FAA CPL(H) & Instrument Rating and a Canadian CPL(H). Any words of wisdom are welcome. Thanks all and here's to a good New Year!
I am also a Canuck driver (although with IFR ATPL exp. all of it expired)
but Bristow felt I could be of some use.
I declined their invitation to visit the dark continent as I have zero in- country experience, and felt the learning curve would be a little sharp given the existing conditions.
Thanks for everyones help and input about the job front. I have been talking to quite a few good people who have been very helpful. Hopefully I will get somewhere with all this in the end. We will see what happens. In all, I am not overly worried about the situations in Nigeria, just looking for a somewhat steady job, that pays decently.
Thanks again everyone, and maybe I might get the chance to meet some of you working out that way soon.
We will be looking for a detailed report from you after your first trip.....would like to hear how the perception of what it "is going to be like" as compares to "what it was really like". Mind you....everyone has their own personal views on working in Paradise....although some public opinions are quite different than those provided in private.
With any luck you will get to miss Hamatan, get there in the weather break before Monsoon season kicks into high gear.
Murdock, if you ever get to Eket it's quite possible that a parrot called Bertie may still be alive, they do after all live a long time. Don't take personally the fact that he was trained to say "Murdock's a w@nker".....
Abc Interview With Mend
). I had many happy years in Nigeria and I was sad to leave, but I'd have to think twice in present circumstances. So you can see what the government is failing to deal with, here are some excerpts from an ABC e-mail interview with the leader of MEND:
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