Maun 2008-2009 season
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: South Africa
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Have spend over 3 years in Maun, just spoken to some chaps there and I'm really sorry to inform everybody but the economic crunch is hitting HARD in Maun and NOBODY is hiring. Some companies are thinking of sending pilots on unpaid leave!
Make sure before you go!
Good luck!
Make sure before you go!
Good luck!
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Johannesburg
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ha ha, I went through half a bottle of hairspray in the 2 weeks I was there. That is some serious humidity. But...I'm a girl. I'm allowed. :P
There's really no hiring at all right now. Companies are waiting to see if the season picks up, and actually actively shrinking their workforce in some cases. But damn, is it a good time..
There's really no hiring at all right now. Companies are waiting to see if the season picks up, and actually actively shrinking their workforce in some cases. But damn, is it a good time..
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: South Africa
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A Buddy of mine is flying (or rather sitting on his jack) in Bots and Zambia at the mo. He say is not flying that much due to the current economic climate. According to him, I am flying more often in Cape Town (twice a week) then he is up north which has probably never happened ever. Every one I speak to about Maun and Namibia say's there are not many if any jobs going at the moment. Rumours? I have no idea. My advice is to get hold of the operators and see what they have to say or check www.avcom.co.za for any more info (they tend to be a much nicer bunch of guys). Good Luck and keep on trying. A door will open up eventually - I know because I just walked through my first one!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Melbourne
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Just been through all 17 pages, and have to say was worth the time! Great thread, I'm also freshly qualified and was starting to plan a trip over, but given the last few posts I think saving some $ would be the way to go and maybe heading over next year?
When does the busy season start? Mid year through to Dec? So turn up early and wait arond or turn up at the start of the season?
When does the busy season start? Mid year through to Dec? So turn up early and wait arond or turn up at the start of the season?
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Around the world!
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Was also on my way but I have phoned a couple of companies and does not look like much is happening at the moment! 
Might go and have a look at Kenia or Tanzania!
Maybe the Masai Mara will deliver!
Might go and have a look at Kenia or Tanzania!
Maybe the Masai Mara will deliver!
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Down the airway.
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It is not so very encouraging when Standard and Poor are about to downgrade Botswana because Debswana/De Beers have mothballed all diamond mines, diamonds on which Botswana depends for four fiths of its foreign currency earnings. The other fiftth? Yup...tourists..and they are not here.
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New Zealand
Age: 43
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tickets... :(
Any updates on how many applicants are roaming in Maun?
Going to buy my tickets Saturday (to leave a month from now from NZ)...
The recession aside, would a month from now be too late timing wise?
Or should I book an earlier flight?
Going to buy my tickets Saturday (to leave a month from now from NZ)...
The recession aside, would a month from now be too late timing wise?
Or should I book an earlier flight?
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: California
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Situation in Namibia
I'm writing this from a charming little guesthouse in Windhoek, Namibia. Been knocking on (hangar) doors and it's pretty rough here, too. Yesterday went to Desert Air (not hiring) and Wings over Africa. The very nice lady in charge (Diane) said she would've snatched me up had I spoken German! But then another source said to take that with a grain of salt--it's just what they say when they're not hiring, or not interested in you. (Uh--that hurt a little bit.) Anyway, those of you who are considering Namibia as well as Maun, take note:
The whole license conversion and C-210 type rating process is somewhat complicated here. It's apparently kind of expensive too, as much as US$4500 because of the 210 time involved. But I hear that if you're hired, the hiring company will front that money and it gradually comes out of your salary. Probably the best source of info on that is Westair Wings because they're a flight school as well as a scenic/safari flight company. (Tel: +264 (0)61 221091)
From what I've heard you all say about Maun, the impression I get is that Namibia is not quite so hopeless. And it's close if you're already in or are going to Bots. Feel free to PM me if you need more info.
The whole license conversion and C-210 type rating process is somewhat complicated here. It's apparently kind of expensive too, as much as US$4500 because of the 210 time involved. But I hear that if you're hired, the hiring company will front that money and it gradually comes out of your salary. Probably the best source of info on that is Westair Wings because they're a flight school as well as a scenic/safari flight company. (Tel: +264 (0)61 221091)
From what I've heard you all say about Maun, the impression I get is that Namibia is not quite so hopeless. And it's close if you're already in or are going to Bots. Feel free to PM me if you need more info.
How are things looking out there in Maun, has there been any change over the last few weeks?
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Down the airway.
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Okay......Abercrombie and Kent.
Mr Kent recently gave an interview in some magazine.
When you can easily get a reservation with them to Okavango Delta for six people, then the fly hiring is not so good.
When Federal can easily fly six people to Madikwe or more north because charter is dead - then it is the same.
When all the camp bookings are wide open-ditto.
How busy is the dreaded Air Backwards going into Maun from the Gaberones?
Your do not need to be Wernher von Braun to be able to work out when the high end of the tourist market might be a little dead. Now check the financial indices....are the markets suffering...wait until the markets go up a bit. Then that time every one will want a cracking holiday..so if you have nothing to do you must be prepared to get to Maun sharp sharp to be ready for the up turn. The next great financial world crash will be in 2016-so you want to be in the airline jobs before that time.
Mr Kent recently gave an interview in some magazine.
When you can easily get a reservation with them to Okavango Delta for six people, then the fly hiring is not so good.
When Federal can easily fly six people to Madikwe or more north because charter is dead - then it is the same.
When all the camp bookings are wide open-ditto.
How busy is the dreaded Air Backwards going into Maun from the Gaberones?
Your do not need to be Wernher von Braun to be able to work out when the high end of the tourist market might be a little dead. Now check the financial indices....are the markets suffering...wait until the markets go up a bit. Then that time every one will want a cracking holiday..so if you have nothing to do you must be prepared to get to Maun sharp sharp to be ready for the up turn. The next great financial world crash will be in 2016-so you want to be in the airline jobs before that time.
Join Date: Aug 2008
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Be advised..long term planners....I haf it on good authority that the recession in the US is bottoming out. It will be a flat bottom but a bottom none the less.
In England, the depression has not yet arrived. The little people there hope that they can do the financial clinging to the Americans - again.....
In South Africa....well...if Zuma does not fire Manuel - and he will not-then perhaps not too bad. Watch for Anglo to open again the Debswana diamond mines in Botswana...closed now for a little while. But be warned..Taliban have threatened big trouble in DC - gotta be a nuclear threat after twin towers. They always said it would be after that-not wanting to downstage themselves. Let us most fervently hope that the Homeland Security thwart any such attempts. Soo- get ready for a sexy ride but take precautions possibly?
In England, the depression has not yet arrived. The little people there hope that they can do the financial clinging to the Americans - again.....
In South Africa....well...if Zuma does not fire Manuel - and he will not-then perhaps not too bad. Watch for Anglo to open again the Debswana diamond mines in Botswana...closed now for a little while. But be warned..Taliban have threatened big trouble in DC - gotta be a nuclear threat after twin towers. They always said it would be after that-not wanting to downstage themselves. Let us most fervently hope that the Homeland Security thwart any such attempts. Soo- get ready for a sexy ride but take precautions possibly?
Join Date: Jul 2008
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I think the past 17 pages was equivalent to a book. Great thread...
Sorry to be another bearer of bad news but Bots and Namibia is dry at the moment
(job wise). There are jobs though for rotor pilots? 
Maybe an option? PM me if you want some info on current affairs down here (up if your in SA)
Sorry to be another bearer of bad news but Bots and Namibia is dry at the moment
(job wise). There are jobs though for rotor pilots? Maybe an option? PM me if you want some info on current affairs down here (up if your in SA)
Join Date: Aug 2008
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Yes but after the lunatics of G20 have finished their $120 million gorging exercise their is serious probable that UN contracts in Africa will receive money from the new slush fund.
Notice that AIDS is down in Nigeria where abstinence is being advocated rather than messy old condoms which the natives do not want to wear anyway as it distorts man hood.
Notice that AIDS is down in Nigeria where abstinence is being advocated rather than messy old condoms which the natives do not want to wear anyway as it distorts man hood.
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: INDIA
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Hey guys since we are talking about muan and near by spots basically a tourist based places, Which is now feeling the pinch of the recession results a dry season for fresh jobs too, that's what this thread says so far...
But i feel that a streak of light might appear due to the sporting extravaganza IPL is now the starter of it, followed by the rugby season, Then the FIFA 2010
so will these bring the tourist back?
But i feel that a streak of light might appear due to the sporting extravaganza IPL is now the starter of it, followed by the rugby season, Then the FIFA 2010
so will these bring the tourist back?
Join Date: Aug 2008
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I think that it would be most interesting to hear from those on the ground in Maun as to the composition of the types of tourist who pay the big sums to fly up into the delta.
Not trying to make with the negative vibes here but I would have been thinking that the majority of those tourists who go to the delta are pretty well heeled. I would have thought doubtful that the expected hordes of fans for cricket, rugby and the 2010 Zumathon would be the sort that would be interested or rich enough to go up there.
Certainly at the moment I think it is quite true to say that the winter Caribbean tourist trade hs been pretty bad-especially from Americans travelling and in Europe, over the Easter holidays-apart from good skiing, the city trade was also very poor. I would not be banking too much hope on a recovery in Southern Africa flights charter this coming season but I-of course- very much hope that I am very wrong on this point but I do not see large amounts of peolpe doing the splashing out of money on expensive trips for quite a long while yet?
Not trying to make with the negative vibes here but I would have been thinking that the majority of those tourists who go to the delta are pretty well heeled. I would have thought doubtful that the expected hordes of fans for cricket, rugby and the 2010 Zumathon would be the sort that would be interested or rich enough to go up there.
Certainly at the moment I think it is quite true to say that the winter Caribbean tourist trade hs been pretty bad-especially from Americans travelling and in Europe, over the Easter holidays-apart from good skiing, the city trade was also very poor. I would not be banking too much hope on a recovery in Southern Africa flights charter this coming season but I-of course- very much hope that I am very wrong on this point but I do not see large amounts of peolpe doing the splashing out of money on expensive trips for quite a long while yet?