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By saying that you would be fired and there would be someone else to do your job in the event of a strike, shows a lack of understanding of the BCEA. The strike is an option available to workers and it can be legal. Therefore, it may not lead to dismissal. Essentially you would have the management by the proverbials!
It has always amazed me why, when they seem to be so unhappy, pilots in SA dont collectively bargain and speak up. Whine and complain and yet more often than not on anonymous forums, rather than collectively speak to their Er. No one wants a strike!!!!
Sorry ofr the hijack.... back to Solenta
It has always amazed me why, when they seem to be so unhappy, pilots in SA dont collectively bargain and speak up. Whine and complain and yet more often than not on anonymous forums, rather than collectively speak to their Er. No one wants a strike!!!!
Sorry ofr the hijack.... back to Solenta
Join Date: Mar 2007
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SKUDRUNNER - please man you have got to stop acting so stupid, can you not read these forums and see that there are a lot of unhappy people there at solenta!!
As for the ATR's (and yes I have flown there's - makes you think hey management!!!)
they are ok and things most of the time will work!! However it is the living that you are asking about.......... that is where they fall short. Ok the crew house is not bad (for eg West Africa - Ivory coast) but the living expenses you are going to have to cover out of your salary. They only give you a bed and breakfast (i seem to be saying this over and over - so please do not ask me again!!!) and then anything else you are going to have to sort out for yourself!! Let me also mention that there are some things that you can not get and others may be a lot more expensive than you are use to!
Anyway I only hope you make the right decisions!!! But if this forum is any thing to go by, then give it a miss!!! I have been there and done that, and trust me there are a lot better places to be right now!!!
As for the ATR's (and yes I have flown there's - makes you think hey management!!!)
they are ok and things most of the time will work!! However it is the living that you are asking about.......... that is where they fall short. Ok the crew house is not bad (for eg West Africa - Ivory coast) but the living expenses you are going to have to cover out of your salary. They only give you a bed and breakfast (i seem to be saying this over and over - so please do not ask me again!!!) and then anything else you are going to have to sort out for yourself!! Let me also mention that there are some things that you can not get and others may be a lot more expensive than you are use to! Anyway I only hope you make the right decisions!!! But if this forum is any thing to go by, then give it a miss!!! I have been there and done that, and trust me there are a lot better places to be right now!!!
Join Date: Aug 2006
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merci!
bitchflying11,
Thanks for leaving Solenta! Seems like your one of those typical moaners. We don't need people like you but I see you noticed that thanks once again for leaving!
get a life.
Thanks for leaving Solenta! Seems like your one of those typical moaners. We don't need people like you but I see you noticed that thanks once again for leaving!
get a life.
Join Date: Nov 2006
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What I find amazing is that most people's solution to everything is to strike! That's one of the biggest problems facing South Africa at the moment on all levels of employment. If someone is unhappy about the smallest little detail they strike. And no company in South Africa will fire you for striking, this I know.
The thing you have to remember is, if you are working for Solenta, or any other company for that matter, and you are not happy with the pay, it is your own actions that led to it. At the end of the day, you are the one that signed the contract. No one held a gun to your head forcing you to sign it. The employer makes an offer and the employee has a choice, take it or leave it. If the employer is not open to discussion there is not much else you can do about it.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind getting my salary boosted, but if your not happy with your salary, just go somewhere else.
The original question posed here was "What are the condition like working for Solenta?", not "How can we fix Solenta?".
So instead of bitching and moaning about it, use the info and decide whether you want to work for them or not. I for one am happy with the company at the moment because even though they don't pay so well, they have never once treated me bad in any way.
I have never once been extended for more than a week, and this is only after I agreed to do so. I have never once even been asked to fly an unserviceable plane. I have never been expected to extend or break FDP. And I have have never in all my time at Solenta been paid late, not even by a day!
So there is the positive points from my side. The negative side is they pay absolutely k@k.
Now you decide...
The thing you have to remember is, if you are working for Solenta, or any other company for that matter, and you are not happy with the pay, it is your own actions that led to it. At the end of the day, you are the one that signed the contract. No one held a gun to your head forcing you to sign it. The employer makes an offer and the employee has a choice, take it or leave it. If the employer is not open to discussion there is not much else you can do about it.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind getting my salary boosted, but if your not happy with your salary, just go somewhere else.
The original question posed here was "What are the condition like working for Solenta?", not "How can we fix Solenta?".
So instead of bitching and moaning about it, use the info and decide whether you want to work for them or not. I for one am happy with the company at the moment because even though they don't pay so well, they have never once treated me bad in any way.
I have never once been extended for more than a week, and this is only after I agreed to do so. I have never once even been asked to fly an unserviceable plane. I have never been expected to extend or break FDP. And I have have never in all my time at Solenta been paid late, not even by a day!
So there is the positive points from my side. The negative side is they pay absolutely k@k.
Now you decide...
Join Date: Nov 2006
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hyenacackle, I am speaking under correction here, but CAA approved it because they are only operating with CPL captains on the cargo flight (only DHL). The CPL captain also must have passed all ATP subjects and have minimum 1500 total time.
This makes sense in my mind, because the concerned CPL captain will then be "ready" for his ATP, unless he requires command time, and this way he will get his ATP much quicker and so improving the overall experience level of the pilot pool. Alot of companies have similar measures put in place accelerate pilots to command in a safe way. None of the CPL captains at Solenta are any less capable of commanding a 1900 than a ATP captain. And most CPL captains only operate on a CPL for 2 or 3 months max before testing their ATP.
A 1900 is nothing more than a long 200, so why can you operate a 200 with ATP captains but not a 1900? Fair enough the 1900 carries more pax and thus more responsibility, but again, Solenta is only doing it with cargo. So that nullifies that argument. And also keep in mind that in Europe a 1900 is still seen as a light twin!
This makes sense in my mind, because the concerned CPL captain will then be "ready" for his ATP, unless he requires command time, and this way he will get his ATP much quicker and so improving the overall experience level of the pilot pool. Alot of companies have similar measures put in place accelerate pilots to command in a safe way. None of the CPL captains at Solenta are any less capable of commanding a 1900 than a ATP captain. And most CPL captains only operate on a CPL for 2 or 3 months max before testing their ATP.
A 1900 is nothing more than a long 200, so why can you operate a 200 with ATP captains but not a 1900? Fair enough the 1900 carries more pax and thus more responsibility, but again, Solenta is only doing it with cargo. So that nullifies that argument. And also keep in mind that in Europe a 1900 is still seen as a light twin!
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It's a weight category thing. A line had to be drawn and it was drawn at 5700kgs, as arbitrary as it may seem. Unfortunately, if we start messing with that where will it end? DC3? F27? Metroliner?
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It's a weight category thing.
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I see your point SRT, I really do, that is why I'm glad that decision does not lie in my hands. But the 1900 has always been under debate and will most likely always be under debate because it is registered as a single crew aircraft under FAR23 I think. I'll be honest, I don't have the knowledge to go into a full on debate about this but what's done is done, and all I'm saying is that I can understand the reasoning behind it.
Join Date: Mar 2007
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SOLID TWOTTER - you are right on the money, why not just make the E120 or there ATR's an aircraft that you can command with a comm? What a load of sh1t!!! There is rules and lines that are not ment to be crossed!!!
Just for the record tho, there is no law in the CAA that states you are able to fly the machine with a comm!!! This dispencation thing is all a hoakes!
And another thing to get straight, they are even using these pilots on contracts now, so it is not only limited to the DHL and cargo ops!!!!!!
Plus there little sister company FEDAIR have and are using these comm pilots as command!! Some of them do not even have the subjects, and some as little as 1000 hours!!! Now that is a load of sh1t that you are trying to tell us BEECHGECKO!!!! Get your facts right!!!
Just for the record tho, there is no law in the CAA that states you are able to fly the machine with a comm!!! This dispencation thing is all a hoakes!
And another thing to get straight, they are even using these pilots on contracts now, so it is not only limited to the DHL and cargo ops!!!!!!
Plus there little sister company FEDAIR have and are using these comm pilots as command!! Some of them do not even have the subjects, and some as little as 1000 hours!!! Now that is a load of sh1t that you are trying to tell us BEECHGECKO!!!! Get your facts right!!!
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bitchflying11
You need to take a chill pill dude!
Lemme guess that if you are on contract, you are nearing
the end because you are highly strung?
May I suggest that you move on because by the sounds
of things you are really unhappy.
If you stick around and remain unhappy you are bound to run into
some health issues.
Life aint about being an angry fella.
Get over it and move
You need to take a chill pill dude!
Lemme guess that if you are on contract, you are nearing
the end because you are highly strung?
May I suggest that you move on because by the sounds
of things you are really unhappy.
If you stick around and remain unhappy you are bound to run into
some health issues.
Life aint about being an angry fella.
Get over it and move
Join Date: May 2006
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Contracts And Strikes
Hi Guys and Dolls.
Just an outsiders 2cents. Used to fly contracts for about 5 years (Feds, Immoral, Rudi's Rossair and finally NAC). The late pay thing I experienced with all except, NAC. Immoral used to pay you too exceed or more correctly put one could make a lot more money if you were prepared to exceed. I only did one contract with them. So yeah, it is one's choice to stay or leave, but if the contract pilots got together and formed a branch of ALPA-SA you would have a much better bargaining position to help the company keep to their side of the bargain which they signed to at the bottom of the same contract. So instead of bitching at each other as pilots are wont to do - get together over a beer and improve the whole contract setup by standing together. Yeah wishfull thinking, but plausible. As to the Comm captains on a B1900, it's only the question of how much to offer CAA that counts. A comm pilot can also captain a B747 cargo plane if one reasons that the only safety involved is that of the pax on board?
So in summary - enjoy contracts it's some of the best flying you will ever do. And don't be too harsh on poor old Rudi - he learnt from the masters of screwing crew.
Fly safe!
Just an outsiders 2cents. Used to fly contracts for about 5 years (Feds, Immoral, Rudi's Rossair and finally NAC). The late pay thing I experienced with all except, NAC. Immoral used to pay you too exceed or more correctly put one could make a lot more money if you were prepared to exceed. I only did one contract with them. So yeah, it is one's choice to stay or leave, but if the contract pilots got together and formed a branch of ALPA-SA you would have a much better bargaining position to help the company keep to their side of the bargain which they signed to at the bottom of the same contract. So instead of bitching at each other as pilots are wont to do - get together over a beer and improve the whole contract setup by standing together. Yeah wishfull thinking, but plausible. As to the Comm captains on a B1900, it's only the question of how much to offer CAA that counts. A comm pilot can also captain a B747 cargo plane if one reasons that the only safety involved is that of the pax on board?
So in summary - enjoy contracts it's some of the best flying you will ever do. And don't be too harsh on poor old Rudi - he learnt from the masters of screwing crew.
Fly safe!
Join Date: Nov 2006
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bitchflying11
You remind me of one of those guys who has a grudge against everyone else who is moving past you in the industry and going to the airlines. Maybe you should start to ask yourself why are you still stuck there? Do you live for bitching? Because that is something that is seriously going to hamper your career. And please do take this personally, because I have nothing against people disagreeing with me, I just have something against the way you are doing it.
SRT and DRIVESAILFLY also disagreed with me but they brought up valid points in a civil way. That I respect and with people like that I can talk.
So enjoy you time on contract, sounds like your going to be stuck there for while.
You remind me of one of those guys who has a grudge against everyone else who is moving past you in the industry and going to the airlines. Maybe you should start to ask yourself why are you still stuck there? Do you live for bitching? Because that is something that is seriously going to hamper your career. And please do take this personally, because I have nothing against people disagreeing with me, I just have something against the way you are doing it.
SRT and DRIVESAILFLY also disagreed with me but they brought up valid points in a civil way. That I respect and with people like that I can talk.
So enjoy you time on contract, sounds like your going to be stuck there for while.
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The real gen
Hallo Skudrunner,
There seems to be a lot of talk, but no real answers.
Solenta is a good contract company. One of the better one's around. I should know I have worked for a few. I don't think a contract company could ever be great.
To answer you're Questions,
Time for upgrade to P1 on ATR/1900: you are looking at anywhere between 6-to-18 months, depending on your TT and Exp. (yes, the office does help out their favorites, but that is no different from any other company, go the extra mile and things will happen quicker for you...good life lesson!!)
ATR Pay FO and Capt: Jr FO - new scale-US$800 basic, $105/day on tour
Jr Capt - new scale $1100 basic, $170/day on tour
1900's Jr FO - $700 Basic, $75/day on tour
jr Capt - $1040 Basic, $97.5/day on tour
(At the moment, no one gets to sr p2 or p1...theres too much movement in the industry)
Safety in Africa: If you look at any aviation safety mag, you will see that flying is Africa is the highest risk area. It is not the same as the US, UK or Canada. The radar/tower controllers are not trained correctly, maintenance is not the same standard as it would be in a first world country (what ever guys tell you...its not, it can never be..thats just the way it is), and trying to get a reliable weather forcast is a joke. Saying all that, that is what making flying here a challenge, and you make special bonds with your flying buddies...and as you've seem other people say...its the best flying of your life.
The ATR's in west africa only fly freight, so its a lot of all night flights. There are a few day flights, but most are at night. The schedules can and do change all the time. As far as rostering goes....and Solenta is no different from any other contract company, the rosters change all the time, you will be called onto tour with a days notice.
The 1900's Solenta contract are mostly flying for aid orgs, and trust me, the flying is very good and great fun. There are more contracts and many different countries to see and you will always get work, not like most of the ATR FO's that sit at home for long periods due to no contracts and the company just keeps training. On the 1900's you will normaly fly durning the day.
Living Costs: Solenta will provide all your housing while on tour (same as all the other contract companies) They will also provide you with breakfast (a bowl of Corn flakes), tea and coffee. I have worked for some companies that do not provide you with anything other than a flea infested bed. You will need to buy your own lunch and dinner. A pizza will cost you (all over africa its about the same) about $10 and a beer from the store about $1 or $2. If you want to live a semi normal live while on tour, you should budget for about US$100-150 a week.
Quality of life - not the same as Canada, but you will have fun and make good buddies, not a good 'long term' lifestyle though.
Please do not get me wrong, Solenta has its problems, and there are a lot of unhappy people working for them at the moment, right from the office staff to the jr F/O's on the Van to the sr Capt's on the ATR.
Solenta has the longest resignation period in contracts, three months, so once you've signed your contract don't think about leaving...or at least don't think about leaving on good terms because they (he) will hold you to 3 months and make it unpleasent when you do go.
I think they are a good company, but there are better ones. One's that don't make you pay US$2500 for a Caravan rating, that have a CP that you can approach, that pay better, that the crew and office staff are happier in.
I am happy because I get to fly with a great bunch of guys and don't let the other things stop me from smiling. I would be able to do the same in another company and thats something NONE of us must forget!
Fly Safe guys, hope to see you all in the 'danger zone' soon.
There seems to be a lot of talk, but no real answers.
Solenta is a good contract company. One of the better one's around. I should know I have worked for a few. I don't think a contract company could ever be great.
To answer you're Questions,
Time for upgrade to P1 on ATR/1900: you are looking at anywhere between 6-to-18 months, depending on your TT and Exp. (yes, the office does help out their favorites, but that is no different from any other company, go the extra mile and things will happen quicker for you...good life lesson!!)
ATR Pay FO and Capt: Jr FO - new scale-US$800 basic, $105/day on tour
Jr Capt - new scale $1100 basic, $170/day on tour
1900's Jr FO - $700 Basic, $75/day on tour
jr Capt - $1040 Basic, $97.5/day on tour
(At the moment, no one gets to sr p2 or p1...theres too much movement in the industry)
Safety in Africa: If you look at any aviation safety mag, you will see that flying is Africa is the highest risk area. It is not the same as the US, UK or Canada. The radar/tower controllers are not trained correctly, maintenance is not the same standard as it would be in a first world country (what ever guys tell you...its not, it can never be..thats just the way it is), and trying to get a reliable weather forcast is a joke. Saying all that, that is what making flying here a challenge, and you make special bonds with your flying buddies...and as you've seem other people say...its the best flying of your life.
The ATR's in west africa only fly freight, so its a lot of all night flights. There are a few day flights, but most are at night. The schedules can and do change all the time. As far as rostering goes....and Solenta is no different from any other contract company, the rosters change all the time, you will be called onto tour with a days notice.
The 1900's Solenta contract are mostly flying for aid orgs, and trust me, the flying is very good and great fun. There are more contracts and many different countries to see and you will always get work, not like most of the ATR FO's that sit at home for long periods due to no contracts and the company just keeps training. On the 1900's you will normaly fly durning the day.
Living Costs: Solenta will provide all your housing while on tour (same as all the other contract companies) They will also provide you with breakfast (a bowl of Corn flakes), tea and coffee. I have worked for some companies that do not provide you with anything other than a flea infested bed. You will need to buy your own lunch and dinner. A pizza will cost you (all over africa its about the same) about $10 and a beer from the store about $1 or $2. If you want to live a semi normal live while on tour, you should budget for about US$100-150 a week.
Quality of life - not the same as Canada, but you will have fun and make good buddies, not a good 'long term' lifestyle though.
Please do not get me wrong, Solenta has its problems, and there are a lot of unhappy people working for them at the moment, right from the office staff to the jr F/O's on the Van to the sr Capt's on the ATR.
Solenta has the longest resignation period in contracts, three months, so once you've signed your contract don't think about leaving...or at least don't think about leaving on good terms because they (he) will hold you to 3 months and make it unpleasent when you do go.
I think they are a good company, but there are better ones. One's that don't make you pay US$2500 for a Caravan rating, that have a CP that you can approach, that pay better, that the crew and office staff are happier in.
I am happy because I get to fly with a great bunch of guys and don't let the other things stop me from smiling. I would be able to do the same in another company and thats something NONE of us must forget!
Fly Safe guys, hope to see you all in the 'danger zone' soon.
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Come on guys, get back to the original thread topic.
I have been working for Solenta for a while now and I would like to see more Solenta pilots posting on this thread. The salary issue is getting worse and worse if you compare it to other companies.
Lets get it out in the open.
I must admit that Solenta pays your salary like clockwork, you never have to bust FDP and you never have to fly overweight. Bonus!
What is the old joke again?
What is the difference between a Solenta pilot and a pizza? - You can feed a family with a pizza..........
Not complaining but what can we do to better the situation?
Munga
I have been working for Solenta for a while now and I would like to see more Solenta pilots posting on this thread. The salary issue is getting worse and worse if you compare it to other companies.
Lets get it out in the open.
I must admit that Solenta pays your salary like clockwork, you never have to bust FDP and you never have to fly overweight. Bonus!
What is the old joke again?
What is the difference between a Solenta pilot and a pizza? - You can feed a family with a pizza..........
Not complaining but what can we do to better the situation?
Munga
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I work for Solenta :
Great people I work with ,
Never bust FDP,
Never fly a aircraft with a snag ,
Gets extra fuel if bad wx,
They happy if you divert and dont even ask you why,
Pay is in your account every single month of the year,
An a bonus every year....
Not bad ...
Great people I work with ,
Never bust FDP,
Never fly a aircraft with a snag ,
Gets extra fuel if bad wx,
They happy if you divert and dont even ask you why,
Pay is in your account every single month of the year,
An a bonus every year....
Not bad ...