THE POSITVE SIDE:
The only company thats going to give you a job with a straight comm, 200tt.
The aircraft (caravans, not so sure about the ATR's) are in better shape than most light aircraft flying around SA.
Living conditions in are great, pool, car to use, airconn, 24 hours internett. washing done for you, rent paid, DSTV
Lots of hours.
A months holiday every 4th month.
Enough time to study for ATPL and ability to save for whatever you fancy.
A chance to meet some really good people who are living and working with you.
They always pay you, mmmmm...eventually,
An opportunity to learn to speak French.
You don't have to sit in rush hour traffic on your way to and from work.
THE OTHER SIDE.
You will need to fork out the money for conversion and then somehow find the cash for 3 months living expense, since S&T's don't get paid before you go on contract.
Having to live with the fact that you can never really plan ahead, don't put down that deposit for the week in the Lodge of your dreams with your girl, because you might just be called up the night before you find yourself ferrying an aircraft to some godforsaken place.
Live without the luxuries that you take for granted.
Having to live, work, and spend all your free time with some person you wouldn't speak to if you had a choice, but since you can't excacly go out and chat up some interesting looking people at the local hangout, because all you;ll get is a startled, "Pardon, comme vous ditte?" (no, it does not mean, would you like to......)
You often don't have a choice, but think about it, you could be serving drinks for about a 5th of the pay, and then you still never be able to say, I've been to Lome,...where the@#$ is Lome?"
Small aircraft doesn't like beeeeg thunderstorms. at night, with very dodgy alternate. and only one engine, even if it is a PT6A.
Its all what you make of it. But if you don't like it, you still have the choice to leave.....no strings attached.