European Airline's view on ex Africa pilots?
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European Airline's view on ex Africa pilots?
A month ago I posted asking about going flying in Africa Showing Face (going in cold) way to get job in Africa?
It illicted some interesting and usedfull responces and I've been in further discusion with a couple of you. I've now decided to go ahead and go to SA, convert my licence and start banging on doors.
However, one thing I have been wondering is, if I do decide to come back to the European airline scene in a few years time, what is the reaction likely to be?
I'm planning to go for the C208 or B200/B1900 type jobs (I have over 2000 hours total time and I've been advised thats where I should be aiming.)
Anyone had any experience of this? I wondering if the average airline recruitment department is going to think, 'OK, he's got 1000 hours (or whatever) on twin turboprops but whats he been up to out there? Is he a risk taking nutter?'
I'm not suggesting I think this sums up all African aviation, but I'm thinking some people might and that it might put some potential employers off.
It illicted some interesting and usedfull responces and I've been in further discusion with a couple of you. I've now decided to go ahead and go to SA, convert my licence and start banging on doors.
However, one thing I have been wondering is, if I do decide to come back to the European airline scene in a few years time, what is the reaction likely to be?
I'm planning to go for the C208 or B200/B1900 type jobs (I have over 2000 hours total time and I've been advised thats where I should be aiming.)
Anyone had any experience of this? I wondering if the average airline recruitment department is going to think, 'OK, he's got 1000 hours (or whatever) on twin turboprops but whats he been up to out there? Is he a risk taking nutter?'
I'm not suggesting I think this sums up all African aviation, but I'm thinking some people might and that it might put some potential employers off.
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Personlly I believe you credit airline HR depts with too much 'thinking'.... just get some relevant experience... Turbo-prop's are a good start... watch the ads for the ever changing parameters of what's considered sufficient experience and when you fit the profile, go for it... In the last 40 odd years it's been proven countless times that airline hiring is re-active rather than pro-active..
A reasonable equation for the accountants at airlines is: When money lost by having insufficient crew is greater than money lost on salarys and training of new crew = Hire a pilot. You'll be one of them one day and your experience in Africa won't do you...or the chap in the left seat...any harm at all.. good luck.
A reasonable equation for the accountants at airlines is: When money lost by having insufficient crew is greater than money lost on salarys and training of new crew = Hire a pilot. You'll be one of them one day and your experience in Africa won't do you...or the chap in the left seat...any harm at all.. good luck.
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It will give you some good stories to tell during the interviews! I've done 2 UK airline interviews (got both jobs) and the interviewers were always interested and, most of the time, amused by what I told them.
BA in particular ask you questions about your exerience, along the lines of: Give us an example of when you...
had to work outside of SOP's
flew with a difficult captain
had to use initiative
had to overrule captain's decision
had to put safety before customer service
experienced cultural differences (!)
felt in danger
etc
4 years flying in the bush gave me more than plenty to talk about!
Good luck..
BA in particular ask you questions about your exerience, along the lines of: Give us an example of when you...
had to work outside of SOP's
flew with a difficult captain
had to use initiative
had to overrule captain's decision
had to put safety before customer service
experienced cultural differences (!)
felt in danger
etc
4 years flying in the bush gave me more than plenty to talk about!
Good luck..
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First of all everybody will tell you that you are a cowboy pilot who will have problems with following the SOP's and books, but in the end of the day all of them want to hear your stories. And as above mentioned, it is my experience as well that you will have something to talk about during your interviews.
Cheers
Cheers
Last edited by cpt hamna sheeda; 23rd Aug 2006 at 12:53.
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JC,
I know of dozens of guys that have taken the African flying route and are now at Ryan Air , Emirates , Cathay etc... As far as i'm concerned its pretty much the only route to an airline if you're starting out in South Africa.
Besides its great fun and you will learn alot!
Goodluck and enjoy...
I know of dozens of guys that have taken the African flying route and are now at Ryan Air , Emirates , Cathay etc... As far as i'm concerned its pretty much the only route to an airline if you're starting out in South Africa.
Besides its great fun and you will learn alot!
Goodluck and enjoy...
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Originally Posted by south coast
i am afraid in my opinion they are all useless...and dont get jobs
contract flying....!
contract flying....!
Hope Njets don't find out about your secret past as a contract slut!
(audience gasps)
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They just dont like the idea of you starring at the little grass runway alongside the large tar one, knowing that if you got her nicely settled toward the bottom of the drag curve, kept some power on, and put that first bogey down 5m after the fence....should be no problem eh?
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...or walking back into the cabin and trying to brief the pax in a loud voice (at a suitable volume to allow non-english speakers to be able to understand).
Or running off to the side of the apron/runway to take a leak between sectors.
Or taking all the left-over food/drink to take back to the crew house.
Or just plain leaving all the nav radios off because 'there just aren't any beacons here!'
Etc, etc...
Or running off to the side of the apron/runway to take a leak between sectors.
Or taking all the left-over food/drink to take back to the crew house.
Or just plain leaving all the nav radios off because 'there just aren't any beacons here!'
Etc, etc...
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South African contract pilots are well-known for their skill, daring and courage! They are resistant to hardship, disease and war; hardened to poor living conditions, facilities and pay. No AK47, SAM7 or Su-27 will frighten them away for long. Through wars, insurrections, droughts, storms, coup de etats, and the darkest of nights you will find them slicing through the hostile skies; where no others dare 
Who would you rather interview from these two CV's?
1) Frozen ATPL, 1400 hrs. After Oxford course, initially flew B747 as P3, was upgraded to P2 after 2 years. Good knowledge of Captain's meal requirements.
2) CPL/IR, 1400hrs. Initially flew solo IFR on a C414 doing night freight in the Congo. Upgraded to C208, flew disaster relief in the Sudan, Somalia and DRC. B200 rating followed, flying for UN in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Flew a B1900 in West Africa, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malabo etc. Later contracts in Algeria and Libya. Now flying F28's in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon. Expert on short runways and long days.
VIVA SA CONTRACT DOGS
Who would you rather interview from these two CV's?
1) Frozen ATPL, 1400 hrs. After Oxford course, initially flew B747 as P3, was upgraded to P2 after 2 years. Good knowledge of Captain's meal requirements.
2) CPL/IR, 1400hrs. Initially flew solo IFR on a C414 doing night freight in the Congo. Upgraded to C208, flew disaster relief in the Sudan, Somalia and DRC. B200 rating followed, flying for UN in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Flew a B1900 in West Africa, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malabo etc. Later contracts in Algeria and Libya. Now flying F28's in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon. Expert on short runways and long days.
VIVA SA CONTRACT DOGS
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...and brigning democracy to a world that doesnt care....
Would be awesome if we were able to plow the same amount of blood sweat and tears into getting our own country fixed up...
Would be awesome if we were able to plow the same amount of blood sweat and tears into getting our own country fixed up...
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I would love to do a spiral descent from 20,000' overhead onto the gatwick ILS, shouting charlie charlie, rog, and break break... just need to convince my employer now that's its a good idea... although you never know, with the security situation in the UK it might become necessary
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JD - ha,ha. Let us know what happens! I guess we could always find you a job out here again!
JG1: Churchill would have been proud.
Originally Posted by JG1
South African contract pilots are well-known for their skill, daring and courage! They are resistant to hardship, disease and war; hardened to poor living conditions, facilities and pay. No AK47, SAM7 or Su-27 will frighten them away for long. Through wars, insurrections, droughts, storms, coup de etats, and the darkest of nights you will find them slicing through the hostile skies; where no others dare VIVA SA CONTRACT DOGS
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JG 1 - Maybe just a bit bias!!...Your comment on the abilities of South African contract pilots to endure the normal day to day conditions of Africa. Get a life mate! Out of all the whites that are on this continent, the South African whites are the least capable of dealing with true Africans. I have flown in the SA contract scene for some time and have not encountered many individuals that are really in touch with the reality of them operating in a foreign country and not speaking a word of the local lingo and just counting days until they get back to the comfort of Sandton. Majority of the contract operators are there only to build some hours so they can get back to the comfort of home. And then back home at the pub the good contract War stories with slight exaggeration always seems to get good attention.
What makes you think they are so capable of getting on with the job???
This macho rubbish again about the contract pilot being a notch above the rest in flying ability is ridiculous! Short strips are only relative comparisons 370 meters in a Caravan is more comfortable than 2100 in A heavy jet. Flying with AK47s and SAM7 around...please! The threat is so small in comparison to the normal drive to the airport in the morning in any large African city, or drinking out the local tap, or contracting some unheard of disease or or or or....
It doesnt matter where you are operating my friend. You cannot compare pears with apples. U might be a capable pilot in your environment, but trust me you might not be so capable in someone elses backyard.
Back to the topic:
Flying experience = experience of flying. Doenst matter where its obtained. Its what you make of it and you must use it to your benefit at the interview.
What makes you think they are so capable of getting on with the job???
This macho rubbish again about the contract pilot being a notch above the rest in flying ability is ridiculous! Short strips are only relative comparisons 370 meters in a Caravan is more comfortable than 2100 in A heavy jet. Flying with AK47s and SAM7 around...please! The threat is so small in comparison to the normal drive to the airport in the morning in any large African city, or drinking out the local tap, or contracting some unheard of disease or or or or....
It doesnt matter where you are operating my friend. You cannot compare pears with apples. U might be a capable pilot in your environment, but trust me you might not be so capable in someone elses backyard.
Back to the topic:
Flying experience = experience of flying. Doenst matter where its obtained. Its what you make of it and you must use it to your benefit at the interview.
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Aw Kesho dont spoil the party now, its not up to you to decide who is what, and what who can do. Relax and smell the roses dude. I dont moan when other people are having fun. Or are you just jealous?