Kinshasa, how is it now?
Join Date: Dec 2002
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european champ, or is it chump. The above comments are from some well travelled, been there-done it guys. If you have no contract nor contact in the DRC, never mind Kinshasa,,, don't go. As for calling the Congolese embassy,, really! It's frikken expensive and life will be further complicated if you don't speak french.
I went, had a good time flying, worked for a well organised outfit, but best of all, in my top draw I had a ticket with my name on it to get out.
I went, had a good time flying, worked for a well organised outfit, but best of all, in my top draw I had a ticket with my name on it to get out.
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Euro Champ
Stop being so naive....
Just read the above comments.
You want to call the nearest Congolese embassy?
Sure , just do it and the consular officer there, who got his job by corrupting around him, will be more than happy to send you to his cousin's guest house to get some of his money back, aas you say "...places to stay and places to avoid".
If you don't speak French, tu vas te retrouver en slip avant tes premieres 24hrs dans le pays.
Your "voulez vous coucher avec moi" est completement inutile mec, tu es blanc, tu as du cash, qu'est ce que t'as besoin de dire??
Stop being so naive....
Just read the above comments.
You want to call the nearest Congolese embassy?
Sure , just do it and the consular officer there, who got his job by corrupting around him, will be more than happy to send you to his cousin's guest house to get some of his money back, aas you say "...places to stay and places to avoid".
If you don't speak French, tu vas te retrouver en slip avant tes premieres 24hrs dans le pays.
Your "voulez vous coucher avec moi" est completement inutile mec, tu es blanc, tu as du cash, qu'est ce que t'as besoin de dire??
Join Date: Dec 1999
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STAY AWAY......NO CONTACTS........... NO FRENCH....................BELIEVE YOU WILL GET A JOB ON A JET............................YOU ARE DREAMING MY FRIEND. ALL THAT WILL HAPPEN IS YOU WILL BE RAGGED, BAGGED AND SHAGGED BY THOSE PEOPLE. EVERYONE OF THEM IS LYING ALL THE TIME DAY AND NIGHT.
The worst working year of my life was spent in Kinshasa (1994), admittedly as an aircraft engineer, not pilot. I was fortunate enough to work for a company that looked after their staff, both with wages and accommodation, but the lifestyle was terrible. Zaire, as it was then, was rancid with corruption, thievery and incompetence and I can't imagine it's improved any. My only good memories of the place are the Domino, Spikizi and departures lounge (!) at N'Djili. Listen out, man: it's one of the worst places in Africa to be. Don't count on proper maintenance either; you'll be at the blunt end of the indigenous servicing skills and it'll probably hurt.
Sorry, I've got nothing positive to say about the place. If you're determined to go, good luck: you'll need a lot of it...
:^(
Sorry, I've got nothing positive to say about the place. If you're determined to go, good luck: you'll need a lot of it...
:^(
No medicine for stupidity
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Euro Champ, I don't know what rubbish these guys are talking. Kinshasa is a wonderful metropolitan city in a fabulous country. It is the home to Afro Disney, headquarters to the African space agency and boasts some of the finest accommodation at a very reasonable price.
If you will excuse me now, I must put my jacket on again, I'm only allowed out of my padded cell once a week for ten minutes!!
If you will excuse me now, I must put my jacket on again, I'm only allowed out of my padded cell once a week for ten minutes!!
Join Date: Mar 2001
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actually, i am going to change me view and agree with saywhat...i had some of the best days of my life there, the belgian/swimming pool of an afternoon, the vip, emprez vous, the piano bar, equinox and who could forget the new malibu!
the good doctor could never forget some of his patients there....set up a private little surgery there to practice his gaeney skills...
all of those who know the good doctor...
the good doctor could never forget some of his patients there....set up a private little surgery there to practice his gaeney skills...
all of those who know the good doctor...
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Hey Euro Champ
I spent 2 years flying there in Kinshasa
and I would like to give you the best advice you could ever hope to receive about the place. Take yourself from the computer you are on right now and go back to your bedroom, lie on your bed and wait until that feeling that you have go to kinshasa goes away! I was working for the U.N there and we had life very easy compared to a lot of others and it was still very difficult. If you really want to come to africa there are much nicer and better places than the DRC. Try Namibia, Botwana or even Zambia. I'm sorry I don't know any companies in any of those countries but they generally do have jobs for low timers. My second piece of advice is stick to the countries that speak english it will definately make life easier and in my experience they are much more pleasant places that the french spaeking countries. I wish all the best
I spent 2 years flying there in Kinshasa
and I would like to give you the best advice you could ever hope to receive about the place. Take yourself from the computer you are on right now and go back to your bedroom, lie on your bed and wait until that feeling that you have go to kinshasa goes away! I was working for the U.N there and we had life very easy compared to a lot of others and it was still very difficult. If you really want to come to africa there are much nicer and better places than the DRC. Try Namibia, Botwana or even Zambia. I'm sorry I don't know any companies in any of those countries but they generally do have jobs for low timers. My second piece of advice is stick to the countries that speak english it will definately make life easier and in my experience they are much more pleasant places that the french spaeking countries. I wish all the best
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Real bad news. Worked for UN on contracts through whole of DRC. The company I worked for was from South Africa and they looked after their
crew. Not the place to be on your own.
With a bit of twin turbine time and some luck you can get jobs on contract in any s...hole of your choice, but with good solid companies that will make sure that you are taken care of.
Currently working in Angola and same thing applies. Dont just jump in, at least manage your risks.
Africa is a beauty
crew. Not the place to be on your own.
With a bit of twin turbine time and some luck you can get jobs on contract in any s...hole of your choice, but with good solid companies that will make sure that you are taken care of.
Currently working in Angola and same thing applies. Dont just jump in, at least manage your risks.
Africa is a beauty
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Kinshasa
I want to agree with all the previous and add the foll:
Currently working in FIH "under the protection of the white with big black letters" ......helps a lot. French?, I suffer a lot but again --- within "a" system you are OK........ Accom cost increased like you can't believe. My suggestion is to stay where you are.......this place is, and will become more hostile, closer to the election period............... think carefully!!!!!!
Currently working in FIH "under the protection of the white with big black letters" ......helps a lot. French?, I suffer a lot but again --- within "a" system you are OK........ Accom cost increased like you can't believe. My suggestion is to stay where you are.......this place is, and will become more hostile, closer to the election period............... think carefully!!!!!!
Join Date: Mar 2005
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DRC
Sorry for the late reply, have been out of the country fo a "short" while. Although the UN is helping with the distribution of electoral materials and very involved in airlifting to/from various hubs through-out the DRC, I seem to "hear" very diffirent dates ranging mid-June to Mid-July.......2006?
The distribution phase is starting now and I think once that is going well, a proper date will "surface"...........
The distribution phase is starting now and I think once that is going well, a proper date will "surface"...........
Join Date: Aug 2005
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First Elections on July 9 (first round for Prez & legislatives)
Second (provincials & Prez secound round -if needed-) probably in October
Third (municipals) in February '07
Fourth (locals) around June '07
Second (provincials & Prez secound round -if needed-) probably in October
Third (municipals) in February '07
Fourth (locals) around June '07
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Your opinion about kinshasa?
Hi Iakobe how r u?i see from ur name u r greek,im greek too.Have u lived in kinshasa?whats is ur opinion,are there any opportunities to get a job there?Are there many greeks there?
Join Date: Feb 2006
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European Champ,
What part of the world doesn't have lots of Greeks?
A word of advise regarding work opportunities in the flying industry; there are not many jobs going anywhere in the world unless you are well experienced with good type ratings and good hours on type. Do not think, that you can travel to foreign countries to find work with no contacts and no local knowledge. If it were so easy, I think every one would be doing that. Africa is not a continent that you can just book a ticket to and arrive, make your way around and get contacts. Things work slightly differently here then they do in Europe.
The flying scene in Africa is so small in comparison to Europe or the States that all the available slots get taken before they even open up to the public. The flying community is small and jobs go to mates first before they get offered to outsiders. So use your contacts in Europe, get some experience and if you still want to experience Africa later, then you can always try again when you have some experience.
You might see the advice as very pessimistic, but honestly its for the better. You will just waste money, time and maybe more if you just arrive in Kinshasa.
KESHO
What part of the world doesn't have lots of Greeks?
A word of advise regarding work opportunities in the flying industry; there are not many jobs going anywhere in the world unless you are well experienced with good type ratings and good hours on type. Do not think, that you can travel to foreign countries to find work with no contacts and no local knowledge. If it were so easy, I think every one would be doing that. Africa is not a continent that you can just book a ticket to and arrive, make your way around and get contacts. Things work slightly differently here then they do in Europe.
The flying scene in Africa is so small in comparison to Europe or the States that all the available slots get taken before they even open up to the public. The flying community is small and jobs go to mates first before they get offered to outsiders. So use your contacts in Europe, get some experience and if you still want to experience Africa later, then you can always try again when you have some experience.
You might see the advice as very pessimistic, but honestly its for the better. You will just waste money, time and maybe more if you just arrive in Kinshasa.
KESHO
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euro champ...
you seem to just ignore all the postings people have put on your thread about what kinshasa is like...
do you normally just ignore advice from people who have been there and who know about how things work in africa...
open your greek ears...?
you seem to just ignore all the postings people have put on your thread about what kinshasa is like...
do you normally just ignore advice from people who have been there and who know about how things work in africa...
open your greek ears...?
Está servira para distraerle.
Just sort of got back from a trip down to Kinshasa.I have to say that the memories of Leopoldville are still to be seen the some of the beautiful architectural examples that are doted around the centre of the city.
This is really by far the most interesting part of the capital.
Once Mobuto Seko took over in 1966 (?) the city expanded rapidly out from its original vibrant heartland. The shady boulevard of June 30th is well worth a stroll in the evening as the cool and refreshing breezes play along the banks of the slow moving Congo river and bring an atmosphere of almost ethereal fantasy to the lengthening shadows of the African dust.
There are many artists and musicians living in Kinshasa these days. English has replaced French as the lingua franca in many suburbs and Lingala, quite simple to learn I believe, is widely spoken. There are plenty of television stations in the city, usually enough to ensure that one of them is functioning on any one day and of course, for serious entertainment, there is always the Fine Art Academy and of course the Kinshasa Museum. Rumour has it however, that some parts of both of these establishments are closed for repairs at this time of the year.
N'Djili airport is not far rom the beach at Ngobila and in fact is linked by railway in order to make commuting easier for the many pilots and air crews who live overlooking the water at that charming residential suburb.
Other areas of outstanding beauty much favoured by foreigners include Gombe and Zone de Matonge. In the former area, you will find some jolly good night life.
There was, I seem to remember, a thriving Greek community, many of whom used to live in what is now Turkish Cyprus, a few English die hards, the odd Belgian and, surprisingly enough, very few South Africans - except at the airfield.
There are usually plenty of jobs about in aviation. The pay is so good that the pilot/crew turnover is very high with successful foreign workers leaving at a consistently smooth rate in order to take advantage in their homelands of the money which they have been able to urn ($ic) in The Democratic Republic of Congo!
Good luck ! As Stanley,who founded the place, might have said to Livingstone.
