Air Mauritius - all you need to know about MK (threads merged)
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Hey flying folks,
Just sort of new on this forum. Read a lot of unpleasant staff about air Mauritius, but seems to me not different from any other place. Seriously spoken, have been offered a contract with you on the A 340, of course have my doubts. Here comes the most important for me and probably most boring question for you guys:
Who is mainly driving the 340 buses? Are those locals or expats?
Where to find suitable accommodation? I mean which area?
What is the atmosphere like?
Heard that you got a new CEO? Well spoke to one of your guys in the air, he told me that you are negotiating to be paid in EUR.
Guys please need a serious info; please only mature answers are appreciated.
Cheers.
Just sort of new on this forum. Read a lot of unpleasant staff about air Mauritius, but seems to me not different from any other place. Seriously spoken, have been offered a contract with you on the A 340, of course have my doubts. Here comes the most important for me and probably most boring question for you guys:
Who is mainly driving the 340 buses? Are those locals or expats?
Where to find suitable accommodation? I mean which area?
What is the atmosphere like?
Heard that you got a new CEO? Well spoke to one of your guys in the air, he told me that you are negotiating to be paid in EUR.
Guys please need a serious info; please only mature answers are appreciated.
Cheers.
Join Date: Oct 2004
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virage,
In answer to your questions,
1 There is a mix of nationalities on the 340, predominantly expat.
2 Suitable accomodation, Grand Bay, Blue Bay or Black River, suitability is in the eyes of the beholder.
3 Atmosphere, morale is pretty low and not expected to improve much.
4 Pilots will never be paid in Euro, it just won't happen.
In answer to your questions,
1 There is a mix of nationalities on the 340, predominantly expat.
2 Suitable accomodation, Grand Bay, Blue Bay or Black River, suitability is in the eyes of the beholder.
3 Atmosphere, morale is pretty low and not expected to improve much.
4 Pilots will never be paid in Euro, it just won't happen.
Join Date: Dec 2004
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JVJ strikes
I see it has not taken JVJ very long to get up to his old tricks. If you guys at MK need any info or assistance I suggest you contact the SAA pilot's union. I am sure they would be more than happy to give you some guidance as to how to deal with the "pilot hater". Their email is [email protected]
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To all of you out there considering working for AIR MAURITIUS.
BE CAREFUL !!!! THINK BEFORE YOU JUMP !!!!!
This topic has pretty much been covered extensively, but I would like as few people to burn their fingers as possible.
We are losing PILOTS and INSTUCTORS at an alarming rate at the moment, many of these are DIE-HARDS, who have been here for a long time,...and even THEY do not see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Directly, it is the attitude of those at FLIGHT OPS effecting the morale,...indirectly, it is the TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT attitude of those higher up......!
Some points to consider:
1)As an EXpat, you have no rights, you are entitled to what your contract states, no more, no less.
As to cost-of-living adjustments to your salary, or any other shortfall you may experience in this ever changing world,....you are owed NOTHING !!!!(We are in arbitration with the company at the moment regarding promises made .)
2)This is a THIRD WORLD ISLAND,...the resorts are stunning, the rest is a mess,....if you do come for an interview, spend a few extra days and check out the place as much as possible, find some crew, ask questions,.....the honeymoon lasts about 6 months, then reality sinks in,....and for the present salary package, it really is`nt worth it....unless ofcourse you have no job at all!
3)When your landlord hears you are air Mauritius Crew,....expect an incredibly high rent for the DUMP you are going to live in (70% of the houses).....These houses usualy leak when it rains....almost every day on the EAST COAST....the extreme humidity during 8 months of the year causes EVERYTHING to rust and rot.
4)Water pressure to your plumbing is INCONSISTANT and usually LOW,....the electricity also cuts out at least a few times per week,...and when it comes on again, it SURGES, thereby BLOWING any decent electrical appliances that may be switched on and running, namely FRIDGE, COMPUTER ect.
5)The cost of living has sky-rocketed in the past 5 years....you are not going to have much change in you pocket if you have a family, especially on the present salary structure when you join.
6)You are basically LOCKED on the Island,....you need the Chief Pilot`s permission to leave the Island.......and your roster is constructed in such a way that you can`t leave for a few days anyway.....not unusual to get "off off stby off off".........!
At the end of the day, all I am saying is, this is a unique enviroment to be based in,....the mantra here is not to try and do 2 things in 1 day....you will get your blood-pressure in the red.
If we had a BLOCK ROSTER like CHINA.....you could work hard, and then go back to civilization for a while, get you sense of humour back,...and start another cycle.......but that idea has been shot down over here as well.
The pity is that this could be a great place to work,...if the Crew were treated as part of the TEAM,.....and not the ENEMY.
Life is full of choices
Good luck and safe landings to you all.
BE CAREFUL !!!! THINK BEFORE YOU JUMP !!!!!
This topic has pretty much been covered extensively, but I would like as few people to burn their fingers as possible.
We are losing PILOTS and INSTUCTORS at an alarming rate at the moment, many of these are DIE-HARDS, who have been here for a long time,...and even THEY do not see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Directly, it is the attitude of those at FLIGHT OPS effecting the morale,...indirectly, it is the TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT attitude of those higher up......!
Some points to consider:
1)As an EXpat, you have no rights, you are entitled to what your contract states, no more, no less.
As to cost-of-living adjustments to your salary, or any other shortfall you may experience in this ever changing world,....you are owed NOTHING !!!!(We are in arbitration with the company at the moment regarding promises made .)
2)This is a THIRD WORLD ISLAND,...the resorts are stunning, the rest is a mess,....if you do come for an interview, spend a few extra days and check out the place as much as possible, find some crew, ask questions,.....the honeymoon lasts about 6 months, then reality sinks in,....and for the present salary package, it really is`nt worth it....unless ofcourse you have no job at all!
3)When your landlord hears you are air Mauritius Crew,....expect an incredibly high rent for the DUMP you are going to live in (70% of the houses).....These houses usualy leak when it rains....almost every day on the EAST COAST....the extreme humidity during 8 months of the year causes EVERYTHING to rust and rot.
4)Water pressure to your plumbing is INCONSISTANT and usually LOW,....the electricity also cuts out at least a few times per week,...and when it comes on again, it SURGES, thereby BLOWING any decent electrical appliances that may be switched on and running, namely FRIDGE, COMPUTER ect.
5)The cost of living has sky-rocketed in the past 5 years....you are not going to have much change in you pocket if you have a family, especially on the present salary structure when you join.
6)You are basically LOCKED on the Island,....you need the Chief Pilot`s permission to leave the Island.......and your roster is constructed in such a way that you can`t leave for a few days anyway.....not unusual to get "off off stby off off".........!
At the end of the day, all I am saying is, this is a unique enviroment to be based in,....the mantra here is not to try and do 2 things in 1 day....you will get your blood-pressure in the red.
If we had a BLOCK ROSTER like CHINA.....you could work hard, and then go back to civilization for a while, get you sense of humour back,...and start another cycle.......but that idea has been shot down over here as well.
The pity is that this could be a great place to work,...if the Crew were treated as part of the TEAM,.....and not the ENEMY.
Life is full of choices
Good luck and safe landings to you all.
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Well thanks for that ALTCRZ -
Perhaps not as rosy as 4HP who "left with a heavy heart (but no regrets)" makes out!
I think possibly, 4HP was one of the SAA secondees who came out early days. Things have changed since '99
Perhaps not as rosy as 4HP who "left with a heavy heart (but no regrets)" makes out!
I think possibly, 4HP was one of the SAA secondees who came out early days. Things have changed since '99
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Nope, not a secondee. Sure, things have changed since '99 but in '95 and in '90 and in '85 and I'm sure in 2010 there will always be those taking advantage of the benefits offered by working for MK; there will also be those shooting themselves in the foot and losing a golden opportunity - if only they'd kept their heads down - no need for brown-nosing just stay out of politics & the limelight as an expat.
Make your bed & sleep in it - it's an enviable job - respect it as such. My tuppence-worth.
4HP
Make your bed & sleep in it - it's an enviable job - respect it as such. My tuppence-worth.
4HP
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ALTCRZ
Your points are all valid, but you failed to mention the fact that if your wife/family can't hack it on the island, then the chances are your employment with the airline is likely to be short lived! Some of the guys commute, but most (if not all) will tell you that it is tough and the added expense of running two homes makes the salary package even less attractive.
Thought it important to mention this
Your points are all valid, but you failed to mention the fact that if your wife/family can't hack it on the island, then the chances are your employment with the airline is likely to be short lived! Some of the guys commute, but most (if not all) will tell you that it is tough and the added expense of running two homes makes the salary package even less attractive.
Thought it important to mention this
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I know there are a heap of guys who jumped ship and are in Emirates. I live and work in the UAE, not interested in working for Emirates under present conditions...but would love to work in Mauritius. I guess it's the grass being greener business and also the matter of lifestyle over conditions. If there are any Emirates pilots who have come from Mauritius I would l be interested in hearing your thoughts about the two options. Not knocking Emirates but pretty much everyone I've spoken to from there regrets leaving their last job and was wondering if it was the same for you guys.
Cheers
Cheers
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Not necessarily , rumour has it that they are looking at aprox 10 trainees. Of course, needless to say best qualifications don't mean better chances in that cesspit... but f/ops has or will lose 40 drivers so, they must be getting desperate soon !
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Hi guys
Looking for Nick Hird.Last I heard he was flying ATR 72's for Air Mauritius.Can anyone help.
Know this thread isn't really for this but would really like to contact him.
Looking for Nick Hird.Last I heard he was flying ATR 72's for Air Mauritius.Can anyone help.
Know this thread isn't really for this but would really like to contact him.