Solenta forcing pilots to return to Abidjan
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If you think ABJ is a good place to be going right now here's what the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises:
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Travel to Ivory Coast
The US State Department advises:
COLOR=skyblue]This Travel Warning is being issued to update U.S. citizens on the current unrest that is occurring in Cote d'Ivoire and to alert them to ongoing safety and security concerns. Because of the recent violence and the unsettled security situation, the Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and all eligible family members of U.S. Embassy personnel. The Department urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Cote d'Ivoire. The airport has re-opened, but only to limited commercial traffic by some regional and European carriers. Land routes to the Ghanaian border remain open but travelers should consult the Embassy before planning to cross the border by road.[/COLOR]
SAFETY AND SECURITY
We currently advise against all travel to Ivory Coast until further notice.
The US State Department advises:
COLOR=skyblue]This Travel Warning is being issued to update U.S. citizens on the current unrest that is occurring in Cote d'Ivoire and to alert them to ongoing safety and security concerns. Because of the recent violence and the unsettled security situation, the Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and all eligible family members of U.S. Embassy personnel. The Department urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Cote d'Ivoire. The airport has re-opened, but only to limited commercial traffic by some regional and European carriers. Land routes to the Ghanaian border remain open but travelers should consult the Embassy before planning to cross the border by road.[/COLOR]
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So Rudeman - how about some info on that policy? How long do the crew have to keep asking for that? It has now been about 3 weeks and all emails are flat-out ignored regarding this. If we are not adequately covered by Solenta/DHL, the crew is not covered AT ALL as no underwriter will insure for Cote D'Ivoire.
Join Date: Feb 2003
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ATR Driver
Answer to your question.
You dont have to worry as Solenta (a representitive from the company) has now publically stated that you have medical cover,Insurance cover and anything else.
Forget that this is a rumour forum,a wide awake attorney will take Soenta to the cleaners,even if you hurt your pinkie now.
If Solenta think that this is just a pilots rumour chat and anything said goes,then all they have to do is have a look at one of the canoeing sites where a canoeinst called another canoeist a W..... r on the canoe rumour chatline.
The guy being called the W.....r turned out to be a hotshot advocate from CT and sued the guy for R80000.00 and won.
(by the way,it made it onto SABC news).
...
Hopfully this whole saga does get settled in a nice way,as in all honesty,Solenta have given a lot of guys their break in Turbine flying.
Granted,you had to pay upfront for your ATR rating,but then the guys/gals knew this before they took the leap.
When it comes to business and money,there is always a risk.
But yes,Solenta should address all the issues in-house and answer the emails/questions directly.
For the people not wanting to go back,there will always be others willing to do the job cheaper.
Unfortunately a fact of life.
There is also good and bad to every company.
(By the way,I have been in 3 coups attempts in Abj,so do understand).
Goffel by the sea.
Answer to your question.
You dont have to worry as Solenta (a representitive from the company) has now publically stated that you have medical cover,Insurance cover and anything else.
Forget that this is a rumour forum,a wide awake attorney will take Soenta to the cleaners,even if you hurt your pinkie now.
If Solenta think that this is just a pilots rumour chat and anything said goes,then all they have to do is have a look at one of the canoeing sites where a canoeinst called another canoeist a W..... r on the canoe rumour chatline.
The guy being called the W.....r turned out to be a hotshot advocate from CT and sued the guy for R80000.00 and won.
(by the way,it made it onto SABC news).
...
Hopfully this whole saga does get settled in a nice way,as in all honesty,Solenta have given a lot of guys their break in Turbine flying.
Granted,you had to pay upfront for your ATR rating,but then the guys/gals knew this before they took the leap.
When it comes to business and money,there is always a risk.
But yes,Solenta should address all the issues in-house and answer the emails/questions directly.
For the people not wanting to go back,there will always be others willing to do the job cheaper.
Unfortunately a fact of life.
There is also good and bad to every company.
(By the way,I have been in 3 coups attempts in Abj,so do understand).
Goffel by the sea.
Join Date: Oct 2004
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I am just wondering how much DHL is paying SOLENTA for the crew. Can't think that a big European company have a different policy regarding pay between countries where there is war.
If they give danger pay to fly into Irak and Afganistan (war raveged countries) why don't the guys get danger pay flying in Ivory Coast ( also war raveged).
Maybe somebody must rather look into this than complain about going back. Me thinks that a lot of complaining will stop if the pay goes up to about the same as Bahrain pay.
Are Solenta getting more money for the crew than what they are paying out to the guys, or am I way off with this idea.
I will go work for them any time if they pay me about $7 000 pm for working in war torn countries.
Are Solenta struggling to get crew? For about $3 500 pm me thinks that they will not get too many people running for a position.
Maybe somebody can explain this to me
If they give danger pay to fly into Irak and Afganistan (war raveged countries) why don't the guys get danger pay flying in Ivory Coast ( also war raveged).
Maybe somebody must rather look into this than complain about going back. Me thinks that a lot of complaining will stop if the pay goes up to about the same as Bahrain pay.
Are Solenta getting more money for the crew than what they are paying out to the guys, or am I way off with this idea.
I will go work for them any time if they pay me about $7 000 pm for working in war torn countries.
Are Solenta struggling to get crew? For about $3 500 pm me thinks that they will not get too many people running for a position.
Maybe somebody can explain this to me
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Hi Bleedvalve - Perhaps Rudeman or Freighboss could answer your questions for us.
I think a lot of people would like to know how Solenta gets away with ripping off their guys.
I do think a lot of people in the industry is laughing at offers from Solenta at the moment. I certainly would for the amount of money they are paying their pilots.
I have heard figures of somewhere in the region of $10k per pilot a month that DHL pays them although I think it is considerably more than that. Then on top of that DHL pays them a fixed rate for a certain amount of block hours per aircraft, which Im sure equals rediculously big figures.
I think a lot of people would like to know how Solenta gets away with ripping off their guys.
I do think a lot of people in the industry is laughing at offers from Solenta at the moment. I certainly would for the amount of money they are paying their pilots.
I have heard figures of somewhere in the region of $10k per pilot a month that DHL pays them although I think it is considerably more than that. Then on top of that DHL pays them a fixed rate for a certain amount of block hours per aircraft, which Im sure equals rediculously big figures.
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So have heard that Swift Air B727 crew are off to Abidjan now too,DHL has insisted.This is after many attempts by DHL,just rostering the guys to end their day in Abidjan-and the crew checking this out were not to be fooled easily.I hear the crew are not happy and asking for more pay(and these are European pilots-not just the SA guys that complain and ask for more). It appears the crew are biting the bullet since they only have to put up with it for 2 weeks before the contract expires. DHL are still a valued customer for Swift Air in the middle east-so there wont be any contesting in the move by Swift Air.
How true is the rumour that SAFAIR are taking over the B727 operations from FEB?Has Solenta pulled out or can't supply crew for now
How true is the rumour that SAFAIR are taking over the B727 operations from FEB?Has Solenta pulled out or can't supply crew for now
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Why me....?
Lets take this one from the top....
JetWSH....
What gives you the idea that I am in any position to answer your questions? Even if I were, it would be considered as company confidential, not so?
So sorry to burst your bubble, but you'll have to rely on Rudeman for you request for answers.
Bleedvalve...
Reading this post and the previous one, I can safely make the deduction that you are working for a certain operator that also works in "war ravaged" countries such as the DRC and Liberia.
Do they pay you $7000 per month, did not think so....So why the sour grapes, my friend? Did not get the job????
Turbine Tank...
When you get the answer to the Safair/Solenta rumour, please let us know, will you...?
JetWSH....
What gives you the idea that I am in any position to answer your questions? Even if I were, it would be considered as company confidential, not so?
So sorry to burst your bubble, but you'll have to rely on Rudeman for you request for answers.
Bleedvalve...
Reading this post and the previous one, I can safely make the deduction that you are working for a certain operator that also works in "war ravaged" countries such as the DRC and Liberia.
Do they pay you $7000 per month, did not think so....So why the sour grapes, my friend? Did not get the job????
Turbine Tank...
When you get the answer to the Safair/Solenta rumour, please let us know, will you...?
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Sour grapes?
Hi Freightboss
It is not sour grapes. Trying to figure out if I must accept the offer given to me.
All companies in SA are guilty of not paying the guys what they charge. Including the one I'm working for now.
If Solenta is struggling to get people, and if they do get paid quite a lot more than what they are paying the crew, why not give the guys more money. It is not coming out of their pockets. DHL is paying for that, or is it because management must buy some new cars every year.
It is not sour grapes. Trying to figure out if I must accept the offer given to me.
All companies in SA are guilty of not paying the guys what they charge. Including the one I'm working for now.
If Solenta is struggling to get people, and if they do get paid quite a lot more than what they are paying the crew, why not give the guys more money. It is not coming out of their pockets. DHL is paying for that, or is it because management must buy some new cars every year.
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Solenta Buy out
Heard strong rumours that a local Lanseria based operator is possibly looking at buying out Solenta and its operation. Any takers out there, you too can own a new car every year.
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Aint it amusing how RM anf FB conveniently ignore certain postings?
Note the fact that they have not replied to previous threads in which questions were directed to them.
Or is that just a perk of being a manager, not having to answer to your "lesser beings"?
Note the fact that they have not replied to previous threads in which questions were directed to them.
Or is that just a perk of being a manager, not having to answer to your "lesser beings"?
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any chance you guy's gonna put an ATR back on JNB-HRE route??
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MANAGEMENT
Who actually runs Solenta these days ?. I met a very nice guy called Bruce Johnston who was involved sereval years ago but heard he has left ?. Sounds like they need a good HR manager !.
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I met a very nice guy called Bruce Johnston who was involved sereval years ago but heard he has left ?. Sounds like they need a good HR manager !.
I have just read through all the posts and I pressume things are ok and back to normal ?
Gents if what is said are being done to you (ie Life Insurance) - be very greatfull.
I pay R4 300.00 pe rmonth (roughly $750.00) just because I fly in West Africa.
I am sure it wa snot nice during the unrest - but guys this is Africa and we can always have a beer afterwards and talk snot about the "lekker time" we had afterwards.
You guys still grumpy or is it sorted out as I am a unqualified psycho that can sort you out over a beer ...
Oh and by the way ... I have not been paid for three months ... also "an African thing"
Have a good one
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FROM AirSecurity.com subscriber service:
"[ASI THREAT LEVEL DEFINITIONS]
1 - A minimum threat of physical harm. Petty crime is the most common threat.
2 - A low threat of physical harm. Petty crime and infrequent demonstrations are
the most common threats.
3 - A medium threat of physical harm. Petty crime and demonstrations are common
and violent acts do occur.
4 - A high threat of physical harm due to violent acts associated with crime,
demonstrations or terrorism.
5 - A very high threat of physical harm due to violent acts associated with crime, terrorism, demonstrations or war.
Côte d'Ivoire (Country threat level - 5): Police officer trainees clashed with members of the Patriotic Peace Group (GPP), a pro-government youth organization, in the Adjamé district of Abidjan on 3 February 2005. The clash, which occurred from approximately 1400 to 1700 local time, began after a GPP member allegedly assaulted a training police officer. Businesses were closed and traffic was severely disrupted during the clash, which ended after police officers fired tear gas canisters. Two people died as a result of the violence, and an unspecified number of people were injured. There were no reports of Western nationals being involved in the incident.
ASI's SecureFlite program reduces the vulnerability of flight crews and theirpassengers while traveling internationally.
From the pre-planning stages of a proposed trip through the completion of atrip, ASI provides its SecureFlite clients with accurate, timely and easy-to-use information through its staff of experienced intelligence analystsand international network of representatives. The SecureFlite program includes
access to the popular World Watch(r) Online intelligence database, customized Flitebriefs for each international destination, personal consulting and destination monitoring."
"[ASI THREAT LEVEL DEFINITIONS]
1 - A minimum threat of physical harm. Petty crime is the most common threat.
2 - A low threat of physical harm. Petty crime and infrequent demonstrations are
the most common threats.
3 - A medium threat of physical harm. Petty crime and demonstrations are common
and violent acts do occur.
4 - A high threat of physical harm due to violent acts associated with crime,
demonstrations or terrorism.
5 - A very high threat of physical harm due to violent acts associated with crime, terrorism, demonstrations or war.
Côte d'Ivoire (Country threat level - 5): Police officer trainees clashed with members of the Patriotic Peace Group (GPP), a pro-government youth organization, in the Adjamé district of Abidjan on 3 February 2005. The clash, which occurred from approximately 1400 to 1700 local time, began after a GPP member allegedly assaulted a training police officer. Businesses were closed and traffic was severely disrupted during the clash, which ended after police officers fired tear gas canisters. Two people died as a result of the violence, and an unspecified number of people were injured. There were no reports of Western nationals being involved in the incident.
ASI's SecureFlite program reduces the vulnerability of flight crews and theirpassengers while traveling internationally.
From the pre-planning stages of a proposed trip through the completion of atrip, ASI provides its SecureFlite clients with accurate, timely and easy-to-use information through its staff of experienced intelligence analystsand international network of representatives. The SecureFlite program includes
access to the popular World Watch(r) Online intelligence database, customized Flitebriefs for each international destination, personal consulting and destination monitoring."
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Gunss, maybe you have had free rain on this rumour network for a while,but that sure as hell dont give you the right to comment about our situation.Just beacuse you are paying R4300 a month, why should we be be gratefull?Gunns.... by the way,if we get murdered,how we gonna chat about the lekker times?? I think you dunno jack about us pilots. We never ever signed up for this risky nonsense and if we ever woulda agreed,it would never of been for the original circumstances we signed under.
Maybe we can ask Mr Bruce Johnstone why he has left Schlenta?
Maybe the pioneer spotted the Zimbos and bean counters and said enough is enough!
PS:Just because you aint been paid for 3 mths....why should we feel priveledged that we gettin paid minimal??
Think before you post such an annoying post!!
Maybe we can ask Mr Bruce Johnstone why he has left Schlenta?
Maybe the pioneer spotted the Zimbos and bean counters and said enough is enough!
PS:Just because you aint been paid for 3 mths....why should we feel priveledged that we gettin paid minimal??
Think before you post such an annoying post!!
GunsssR4ever
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"Free Rain" ? Mate dunno what is your angle and I honestly do not want to know.
I actually "feel" for you guys there by the way.
And if freedom of speach is not allowed here - nobody would have posted here ...
So get on with it and do you job (or stop complaining and leave it)
Cheers,
Gunzzz
I actually "feel" for you guys there by the way.
And if freedom of speach is not allowed here - nobody would have posted here ...
So get on with it and do you job (or stop complaining and leave it)
Cheers,
Gunzzz
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Putt
I don't see anything in Guns' post requiring gratitude.What I see is someone sympathising as he's in a similar situation. The offer to sort you out over a beer is one of support for a fellow pilot IMO. If you were to discuss it with someone who's operating in the area it may put things in a different perspective.
What I do see from your side is a snotty kid trying to skiet nek where he's out of range of an AAK. Perhaps a little internal reflection is in order?
I don't see anything in Guns' post requiring gratitude.What I see is someone sympathising as he's in a similar situation. The offer to sort you out over a beer is one of support for a fellow pilot IMO. If you were to discuss it with someone who's operating in the area it may put things in a different perspective.
What I do see from your side is a snotty kid trying to skiet nek where he's out of range of an AAK. Perhaps a little internal reflection is in order?