To all of you out there considering working for AIR MAURITIUS.
BE CAREFUL !!!! THINK BEFORE YOU JUMP !!!!!
This topic has pretty much been covered extensively, but I would like as few people to burn their fingers as possible.
We are losing PILOTS and INSTUCTORS at an alarming rate at the moment, many of these are DIE-HARDS, who have been here for a long time,...and even THEY do not see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Directly, it is the attitude of those at FLIGHT OPS effecting the morale,...indirectly, it is the TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT attitude of those higher up......!
Some points to consider:
1)As an EXpat, you have no rights, you are entitled to what your contract states, no more, no less.
As to cost-of-living adjustments to your salary, or any other shortfall you may experience in this ever changing world,....you are owed NOTHING !!!!(We are in arbitration with the company at the moment regarding promises made .)
2)This is a THIRD WORLD ISLAND,...the resorts are stunning, the rest is a mess,....if you do come for an interview, spend a few extra days and check out the place as much as possible, find some crew, ask questions,.....the honeymoon lasts about 6 months, then reality sinks in,....and for the present salary package, it really is`nt worth it....unless ofcourse you have no job at all!
3)When your landlord hears you are air Mauritius Crew,....expect an incredibly high rent for the DUMP you are going to live in (70% of the houses).....These houses usualy leak when it rains....almost every day on the EAST COAST....the extreme humidity during 8 months of the year causes EVERYTHING to rust and rot.
4)Water pressure to your plumbing is INCONSISTANT and usually LOW,....the electricity also cuts out at least a few times per week,...and when it comes on again, it SURGES, thereby BLOWING any decent electrical appliances that may be switched on and running, namely FRIDGE, COMPUTER ect.
5)The cost of living has sky-rocketed in the past 5 years....you are not going to have much change in you pocket if you have a family, especially on the present salary structure when you join.
6)You are basically LOCKED on the Island,....you need the Chief Pilot`s permission to leave the Island.......and your roster is constructed in such a way that you can`t leave for a few days anyway.....not unusual to get "off off stby off off".........!
At the end of the day, all I am saying is, this is a unique enviroment to be based in,....the mantra here is not to try and do 2 things in 1 day....you will get your blood-pressure in the red.
If we had a BLOCK ROSTER like CHINA.....you could work hard, and then go back to civilization for a while, get you sense of humour back,...and start another cycle.......but that idea has been shot down over here as well.
The pity is that this could be a great place to work,...if the Crew were treated as part of the TEAM,.....and not the ENEMY.
Life is full of choices
Good luck and safe landings to you all.