MarkD

Startup airline demands high pilot experience rather than employ people with low hours for low money.

Wow - talk about bucking a trend! Michel Leblanc take note!

VN should be commended for chrissakes! The last thing an airline needs when getting going is an accident so a good way to hedge against that is to spend a bit more recruiting high hours guys.

Rani

I really feel sorry for are those pilots at JetsGo who have lost their jobs and also the money they've been asked by the airline to provide for their own type rating.

I believe it is very likely that insurance companies were a major factor explaining Virgin Nigeria's relatively high pilot requirements. Considering the high number of incidents involving commercial aircraft in Africa and in Nigeria also, insurance companies may be reluctant to offer packages similar to those offered in Europe or North America.

Oyindo

It is a very competitive world out there. With just the promise of a job, its amazing the extent pilots will go too, taking on huge financial commitments to pay for type ratings. (na wah for man oh, man must wak abi). What chance do wannabes have? The local airlines and government in Naija must start right now, creating the right pilot training atmosphere. The earlier NCAT starts to turn out pilots, the better for Aviation.

If the insurance company, requires higher requirements for VN technical crew so be it. (Capt requirement are OK, but F/O requirements slightly too high). I do agree that a start up airline can not afford bad publicity from any incidences. ADC has never really recovered, since that incident near Imota, Lagos.

I do hope VN requirements will be adjusted for F/O’s after being in operation for a few years as confidence in its operation grows.

Good luck Guys, for those of you that manage to get hired, please go out there and do us proud.

surely not

Alternative procedure if you haven't seen any infrastructure changes at the airport for Virgin Nigeria then I suggest you have been looking in the wrong places

Massive infrastructure changes are being made to improve the quality of travel for the Nigerian public.

Rani

Surely not,

Could you confirm which finger at the MMIA is being reserved for VN domestic and international operations? and what kind of changes/ additions have taken place? Any duty free shops and VN Business Class lounges?

I hope they do something about security as well..... they need to get their acts together and provide a secure airport environment, not a crime-infested environment like the one at the domestic terminal where touts and gangs thrive.

AlternativeProcedure

surely not,

of course that is true, I'm just interested in knowing what specific infrastructure has been created/renovated for the new Virgin Nigeria(to be specifiic). You are most likely correct that I have been looking in the wrong places, so for the benefit of everyone in this forum please give us details.

Cheers AP

dejidip

At the departure hall at MMIA,You can see VN its true colors a wing of the departure hall has been allocated and renovation is completed really looks good and it is hoped that the 2 a320,s will b commencing ops by monday 25th april as advertised VN is not about to start competing with its half brothers as yet,as expected thier intention is to start to fly to Port-Hacourt ,Abuja of course acting as a way to fill up its own international arm(VA) and it intends to use the international airport as its fill up point .The rest is left to your imagination.I wish VA what they wish themselves at the expense of local airline ops."NIGERIA WE HAIL THEE"

gac111

Ive been hearing gossip from a buddy who used to be with JetsGo that both Nigeria and Ghana are trying to get resumes from the guys who got screwed there. Anybody else hear similar?

dejidip

Dont take it personal guys im a full blooded nigerian and i have the interest of my country and africa in general at heart if our govt is patronising i do not share thier convictions,i do not see anywhere in the world where such negative bussiness pacts are formed to the detriment of its private citizens.It might be the best thing to happen to ........but not everyone is crazy to be part of it my humble self inclusive wish you knew so MR R.V..T TAKE IT EASY IM NOT PROPPELED BY ECONOMIC VALUES.Please once again dont take it personal ciao.

Oyindo

dejidip
I do know how you feel. It is the general feeling around the aviation community right now that we are going to be sold out again. You can’t blame us, as it had happened to us time and time again thus making us distrustful and suspicious of our government’s intentions no mater how honourable it maybe. VN will have to be seen to very transparent and not bow to the ``Nigerian Factor``. I would not want to see it go down the same way WT did. Loads and load’s of support is what is needed.
And dejidip it is Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey

surely not

Rani and Alt Procedure, all will become clear and it would not be right for me to start blabbing away on this forum about the changes etc that have been put in place to give VNA a competitive edge. Let the competition find out when VNA start

dejidip

OYINDO,

Thanks for your words,fact is ,some guy who claims to be working for VN sent some rather myopic mail to my box asserting that im rather pained,paid,or utterly disgruntled about the whole virgin deal becos he feels i do not satisfy the requirements for recruitment into VN.ha ha.....and this must be my reason for my posts recently... I woulld like him to note for the record that as much as nigerian pilots are much excited at the prospects of working for VN it does not rob us of our primary responsibilities of airing our opinions or misgivings as the case may be even if such opinions are not on the same page as thiers im hereby stating to mr you know who to stop sending such offending mail to my box,its not my fault if he cant live with other dissenting opinions so much about Mr R.V.ET And haba of course i know the first words of my dear country,s anthem,i was just hailing our guys in Abuja for the job WELL DONE

Oyindo

dejidip,
It was a tongue in cheek remark your loyalty cannot be questioned, we know much you have served our beloved country.
Faceless individuals have unpatriotic agendas and only thrive on confusion. (Maybe egunje dey. egunje dey run bele)

GlobalFlyer

Gentlemen,

I've started this VN thread to veer away some of the discussed subject matter from the other VN thread which should be limited to recruitment matters.

Contrary to recent media reports, VN has confirmed that first commercial flight will not take place during April or May as the new carrier is still in the process of training ground staff, completing licensing formalities, securing IATA/ICAO codes, etc.
VN is still expecting to start flying in June.



Surely not,

I think the revamp of Finger D at MMIA is a good development for the airline and travelers. However, I can't help but feel VN has an unfair competitive edge over other domestic airlines which have applied for years to use the better facilities at the international wing for their use, following the fire that gutted the old domestic terminal.

Also, Virgin Nigeria has been barred to operate into the US by the D.O.T, citing 'anti-competitive practices in the UK-US market by the Virgin Group'. In retaliation, FG hasn't granted final authorization for Continental Airlines to start its own services to Nigeria. This issue may take a while to resolve, perhaps a year or more. I believe that other carriers in Nigeria should be granted temporary or permanent route rights to the US while allowing CO into the market. I hope the government will have enough political will and economic wisdom to resolve this in this temporary fashion. This is what's best for the both the US and Nigeria, perhaps not Sir Richard Branson though

Oyindo

VN is a national carrier, I don’t know of any country that will disadvantage its flag carrier over others, or do you know of any? Nigeria should be no different from any of the others. VN should be encouraged, and it should also be used as a vehicle to promote and protect the countries national interest; aviation in Nigeria does not belong to any particular individual.
If it takes up to the middle of summer to get VN off the ground so be it. I can imagine what the publicity would be like if VN gets it wrong by rushing a quick start. Let’s give them all the time and support they need.

Local Airlines operating international flights will have to depart from MMIA anyway. VN using the D wing will only be a temporary measure for local flights. I can image the out cry from the local operators if the new wing at local is completed and it is given to VN for it sole use. After all WT had the sole use of it until a few years ago, then of course the mayhem started as soon as the local airlines moved in. We really do have to clean up our act to make air travel an enjoyable experience. FAAN are doing there utmost best, Nigerians must stop behaving like invalids and learn to carry their own luggage, letting touts carry it for them only, encourages them to linger around car parks, arrival and departure halls.

surely not

Global Flyer,

You sound so authoritative, yet I have no knowledge of a firm statement such as the one you quote re start up dates Interested to know where that info came from.

I take it from your general tone that you work for one of the other Nigerian carriers? VN hasbeen allocated 'Flag' carrier status and that is why it is the preferred carrier on International routes.

Continental has relinquished its planned accommodation at LOS and word on the apron is that they have lost interest in Lagos and are getting more joy elsewhere in Africa......................Gunss if you're reading this you might be able to confirm

As I have said in the previous thread, there is some info on these threads that is relatively accurate, and much that is way off the mark. I regret that for confidentiality reasons I cannot be more specific. Reader beware is the maxim.

GlobalFlyer

Surely not,

No I don't work for any competing local carrier.

According to the media, the Board of Directors had recently indicated that VN is targeting June to commence commercial flights. Yesterday, BusinessDay Online, a reliable and trustworthy publication (in Nigerian standards) has brushed aside speculations of an '18 April' start-up date and confirmed 'mid or end of June' as start-up date.

Oyindo,

I am aware of Virgin Nigeria's status as flag carrier. However, I don't think it would be fair for VN to enjoy special treatment on domestic services. I believe the government should provide a fair playing ground for ALL of Nigeria's airlines plying local routes.

Internationally, I see the '7 year monopoly' granted to VN on lucrative routes as an exaggerated protection measure. VN is backed by Virgin Atlantic afterall, and VN should have nothing to fear in competing with smaller carriers on the Lagos-London or Lagos-Dubai routes for example. Perhaps, the government should have granted an 12-24-month exclusivity period as an investment incentive only.

It is puzzling how the FG would allow dual designation with the UK, if it is not willing to reciprocate for another 7 years! Furthermore, the government has signed an Open Skies agreement with the US which theoretically, is meant to allow any Nigerian or American airline in linking any two points in Nigeria and the US. It is a way to promote trade, tourism and facilitate travel between both countries. Yet, an established Nigerian carrier was denied route rights to Washington DC which was not reserved for VN. I don't think the Open Skies agreement is a "Flag Carrier Open Skies Agreement". Perhaps, the government should have nullified or amended some BASA's to reflect its understandings with Virgin Atlantic.

Finally, I agree with supporting VN to the fullest, but I also believe we should support the local carriers in seizing all opportunities for their sustenance and growth, as they will surely have a complementing role in the development of the domestic airline industry.

ZAZOO

Hi all,

You know following this thread these last few days brings me to the conclusion that what we need and sadly do not have is

"A STRONG VOICE FOR NIGERIAN AIRLINE PILOTS"

If you trained in North America you must have heard of ALPA. The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents 64,000 pilots who fly for 41 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Founded in 1931, the Association is chartered by the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress. Known internationally as US-ALPA, it is a member of the International Federation of Air Line Pilot Associations.

The solid representation and protection of pilots in this country has to begin. I would like to know,

Is our association in existence at all here in Nigeria anymore?

1. Who represents Pilots in Nigeria.

2. Who Advocates for Nigerian Pilots Today.

3. Who looks into the safety and security of our Job.

4. Are we still part of the International Federation Airline Pilots Associations.

Gentlemen at all levels of ALPA, pilots make decisions through the democratic process. All decisions start with their pilot groups. Each pilot group consists of all the pilots at a given airline. Pilot groups exercise considerable autonomy in governing their own internal affairs, such as negotiating contracts, enforcing those contracts, and discussing issues of concern with companies!

For Nigeria everybody just de look and when something like the Virgin Nigeria requirements come up we just de make Bru haha !

FOR THE RECORD ME I STAND BY ALL OUR LOCAL OPERATORS IN NIGERIA O JARE

Zazoo

NDB17 How now, doing ok jare email me so I can send you my cell no.

Oyindo

Quote
The solid representation and protection of pilots in this country has to begin. I would like to know,
Is our association in existence at all here in Nigeria anymore? Answer - Can’t see much of an impact of their existence.

1. Who represents Pilots in Nigeria?
2. Who Advocates for Nigerian Pilots Today?
3. Who looks into the safety and security of our Job?
4. Are we still part of the International Federation Airline Pilots Associations?

Answers
1. No one really
2. No one at all
3. No one that I know of
4. No, for a number of years now
NAAPE’s membership of IFALPA has been suspended, due none payment of dues, for many years now.

I have never been keen advocate of having aircraft engineers and pilots in the same union, the marriage of convenience never really worked. We are only reaping what we sow; lack of support and commitment has been the demise of the union.

So where do we go from here? If I remember right some pilots were trying to start up, non trade union, pilot’s only association in the nineties, what happened to it? Any answers?

Rani

The govt. just formalized the "retaliation" against DoT by blocking Continental's plans to launch the JFK-LOS route.

Guys, this reminds me of the tit-for-tat saga between Britain and Nigeria in 1998!!!! Somehow Nigeria always manages to find itself in these situations.

To all the VN folks out there (reading behind veils!!), what is the airline doing to assure a successful entry on the New York route? Perhaps a temporary code-share with Bellview,ET or any another airline might silence the Americans until this is resolved amicably.