Payday at Arik Air
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Emirates Living - The Meadows
Age: 79
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Happy New Year,
One of my new years resolutions was to suffer fools slightly less gladly this year and leave little room for misinterpretation, especially the sort of misinterpretation that Arik seems to think exist in matters such as whether to pay the pilots on time/at all.
I, as am Oba1 am getting a lot of PMs asking:-
1) Do you really believe what you put in this thread?
2) How can I get into Arik?
3) Do you think I should join in situation X, Y and Z?
I have neither the time nor inclination to write things that I do not believe to be true.
How can you get into Arik? Well that is simple sell your soul to the devil and accept the consequences. I WILL NOT help any pilot get into Arik, I WILL NOT give you email address and contact details as I couldn't not in good consciousness do that to another pilot.
Let us be clear where I stand, you are better off being unemployed or leaving aviation than working for Arik. Even if I did not like you I wouldn't help you get into Arik as every pilot who goes there means that the airline trades a few days more.
The best thing that this new year can bring would be Arik going into bankruptcy as soon as possible so that the safety of the passengers and the hard working crews is not taken to the next level. At present it is just inept, corrupt and frequently illegal as opposed to just an unpleasant place to work and less pleasant place to live. The fear is that this will eventually lead to more serious flight safety transgressions which will likely result in an accident or another incident.
It is therefore a sobering New Years thought that I do not want any part in helping any pilot join Arik as I do not want to be part of them joining an organization where this is increasingly likely due to its increasing inability to administrate itself in anything approaching the standards required by an airline much less a flying club.
Happy New Year and safe flying for 2011 for those of you still stuck in Arik. If you need help in leaving them or taking them to court then that I can help with.
VT
One of my new years resolutions was to suffer fools slightly less gladly this year and leave little room for misinterpretation, especially the sort of misinterpretation that Arik seems to think exist in matters such as whether to pay the pilots on time/at all.
I, as am Oba1 am getting a lot of PMs asking:-
1) Do you really believe what you put in this thread?
2) How can I get into Arik?
3) Do you think I should join in situation X, Y and Z?
I have neither the time nor inclination to write things that I do not believe to be true.
How can you get into Arik? Well that is simple sell your soul to the devil and accept the consequences. I WILL NOT help any pilot get into Arik, I WILL NOT give you email address and contact details as I couldn't not in good consciousness do that to another pilot.
Let us be clear where I stand, you are better off being unemployed or leaving aviation than working for Arik. Even if I did not like you I wouldn't help you get into Arik as every pilot who goes there means that the airline trades a few days more.
The best thing that this new year can bring would be Arik going into bankruptcy as soon as possible so that the safety of the passengers and the hard working crews is not taken to the next level. At present it is just inept, corrupt and frequently illegal as opposed to just an unpleasant place to work and less pleasant place to live. The fear is that this will eventually lead to more serious flight safety transgressions which will likely result in an accident or another incident.
It is therefore a sobering New Years thought that I do not want any part in helping any pilot join Arik as I do not want to be part of them joining an organization where this is increasingly likely due to its increasing inability to administrate itself in anything approaching the standards required by an airline much less a flying club.
Happy New Year and safe flying for 2011 for those of you still stuck in Arik. If you need help in leaving them or taking them to court then that I can help with.
VT
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tamworth, UK / Nairobi, Kenya
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Years ago I was working for a company, deposited my paycheck at the bank. It bounced.
I asked the boss about it at work and he said "You deposited it at a bank? Don't you know to cash your check at the local grocery store?"
I didn't work there much longer.
I asked the boss about it at work and he said "You deposited it at a bank? Don't you know to cash your check at the local grocery store?"
I didn't work there much longer.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: California
Age: 61
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got Arik'd !!!
If you need help in leaving them or taking them to court then that I can help with.
I guess I don't work for Arik anymore, since they just stopped paying me. Apparently, they didn't like the link I posted about a cartoon featuring Arik !!
In the absolute height of class, no notice, no explanations, don't return emails, no answers. I'll enjoy taking them to court. Please provide me with the details.
In tribute, let me repost this YouTube video:
YouTube - Arik Air
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: sao tome y principe
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my take
Let us be clear where I stand, you are better off being unemployed or leaving aviation than working for Arik. Even if I did not like you I wouldn't help you get into Arik as every pilot who goes there means that the airline trades a few days more.
If you're looking at this airline and saying wow i can make a lot more money than I can at a regional/crap airline. Well yes and well you'll hopefully get a lot more time off however... Please Please Please (and i reiterate) do not discount all those euro/american companies currently hiring that offer you more than just pay and days off.
Working at arik creates stress that is realistically unnecessary, however it is stress that will be completely out of your control. The only control you can have is by having a plan "B"best of luck to those who care,
juice
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lagos
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Working at arik creates stress that is realistically unnecessary, however it is stress that will be completely out of your control. The only control you can have is by having a plan "B"
Wise words. Today, the planes sat for no fuel. I can't even add up how many times that has happened.
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Pounding Something
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Update on my bud who was supposed to work for these clowns. Guess he was being shipped off to a recurrent ( I think somewhere in Europe) and the day he was leaving, they emailed him a training bond. He was supposed to sign it and have it notorized I think and send it back. Well, he never got around to it, and when he got back, he got a better job. They finally asked him why he was not in Lagos, and he told them that he would not be going. They said he had to pay 4 or 5 thousand dollars (cant remember exactly how much he said). Of course he tells them they have no contract and to piss off. Has not heard a word since! I think this was 2 or 3 months ago.
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tamworth, UK / Nairobi, Kenya
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Update on my bud who was supposed to work for these clowns. Guess he was being shipped off to a recurrent ( I think somewhere in Europe) and the day he was leaving, they emailed him a training bond. He was supposed to sign it and have it notorized I think and send it back. Well, he never got around to it, and when he got back, he got a better job. They finally asked him why he was not in Lagos, and he told them that he would not be going. They said he had to pay 4 or 5 thousand dollars (cant remember exactly how much he said). Of course he tells them they have no contract and to piss off. Has not heard a word since! I think this was 2 or 3 months ago.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've Been Ariked
You are going to a better place TonyWilliams. Happy landings. Let us know how the court case goes.
Last edited by peeeyejo; 9th Jan 2011 at 21:39. Reason: Title required
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Europe
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wise earlier
Oba1Kanobe thanks for your inputīs here. Do you know what happend with the B777īs and B787īs ?? Just curious.
Back in late 2007 I met with a Dr. M.A.O.A-I. and another Gentleman in London to talk about a Management Position in Lagos. I am dual expirienced, in the Cockpit of B737 and B777. I was flying the Desk and the Cockpit. We talked openly about alot of things and it did not sound that optimum but the desire was there to achieve things.
I told the two what the first idea and impression was and some of my predictions unfortunatly became reality when I follow the thread here and hear some things now and then on the tarmac. Iīve seen the A340 now and then in JFK at least.
To keep up with the pay is important, that is the part of the accountants. To keep the Pilots is part of the DFO and the terms and conditions outlined in the contract and strictly followed. Now we know that discipline is not a strengh in some places in Aviation.
The 30/30 is desirable of course but I have my doubts that it can happen. My suggestion back was 6 weeks on and 3 weeks off as long as Arik does not have the Network to "shuffle" the Pilots to and from work in the own Planes. After the routes are there and the possibilty exists to position the crewīs from theire home base to Lagos and back a 20 day on and 10 dayīs off at home pattern can be established and a stability of retaining crew will settle together with a ontime payment.
I am sure that would attract a quantity of quality Pilots and other Personell as well to secure a economical schedule.
That the loadfactor and the revenue achieved contributes to a profitable operation is key but the foundation is that the organisation harmonizes in itself. That reflects in many wayīs and contributes to a minimizing of losses and keepīs all on track. Wings of Africa, fly high.
Keep us up to date and I am still looking in here now and then. I am sure we would have worked well together but the time was not right back then. Conditions of 8 weeks on 2 weeks off where undiscussable, another reason why I did not took the offer back then.
Fly safe and land happy
NG
Back in late 2007 I met with a Dr. M.A.O.A-I. and another Gentleman in London to talk about a Management Position in Lagos. I am dual expirienced, in the Cockpit of B737 and B777. I was flying the Desk and the Cockpit. We talked openly about alot of things and it did not sound that optimum but the desire was there to achieve things.
I told the two what the first idea and impression was and some of my predictions unfortunatly became reality when I follow the thread here and hear some things now and then on the tarmac. Iīve seen the A340 now and then in JFK at least.
To keep up with the pay is important, that is the part of the accountants. To keep the Pilots is part of the DFO and the terms and conditions outlined in the contract and strictly followed. Now we know that discipline is not a strengh in some places in Aviation.
The 30/30 is desirable of course but I have my doubts that it can happen. My suggestion back was 6 weeks on and 3 weeks off as long as Arik does not have the Network to "shuffle" the Pilots to and from work in the own Planes. After the routes are there and the possibilty exists to position the crewīs from theire home base to Lagos and back a 20 day on and 10 dayīs off at home pattern can be established and a stability of retaining crew will settle together with a ontime payment.
I am sure that would attract a quantity of quality Pilots and other Personell as well to secure a economical schedule.
That the loadfactor and the revenue achieved contributes to a profitable operation is key but the foundation is that the organisation harmonizes in itself. That reflects in many wayīs and contributes to a minimizing of losses and keepīs all on track. Wings of Africa, fly high.
Keep us up to date and I am still looking in here now and then. I am sure we would have worked well together but the time was not right back then. Conditions of 8 weeks on 2 weeks off where undiscussable, another reason why I did not took the offer back then.
Fly safe and land happy
NG
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: U.K
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello
Hello guys its been a while, quite interesting reading, I just wanted to add that I know a couple of guys that left Arik to certain Middle eastern outfits and are finding that the grass isnt always greener.
Heard that Arik should be getting at least 2 more 330s before the years end probably to see off competition from air nigerias soon to be acquired a340,
I have learnt in my short time in aviation to never say never....so while lots of guys may not like or agree with with what goes on in LAG others seem te be more than eager to get down there. Best advice is to go with an open mind if you want and if its not working out for you hand in your 30days notice and V1 rotate out of there.
Heard that Arik should be getting at least 2 more 330s before the years end probably to see off competition from air nigerias soon to be acquired a340,
I have learnt in my short time in aviation to never say never....so while lots of guys may not like or agree with with what goes on in LAG others seem te be more than eager to get down there. Best advice is to go with an open mind if you want and if its not working out for you hand in your 30days notice and V1 rotate out of there.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lagos
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Best advice is to go with an open mind if you want and if its not working out for you hand in your 30days notice and V1 rotate out of there.
The "standard" method is to get the money in your pocket (on whatever day that happens to be... it varies, since they RARELY pay on time) and then get on a plane and go home.
Then, and only then, do you advise Arik that you're not coming back. Giving any notice is almost guaranteed to not get your last pay. Yes, there are current managers at Arik that will promise to pay if you give notice. But of course, like everything Arik, I wouldn't believe it, because it will never be true all the time.
There is a long list of folks who left Arik and never saw all their money.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lagos
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oba1Kanobe thanks for your inputīs here. Do you know what happend with the B777īs and B787īs ?? Just curious.
The first actual B777's was offered to Arik (after the 2006-ish order) in the fall of 2009.
Like everything Arik, there was never any genuine planning to ever accept those planes (even basic stuff like training pilots), and Arik wasn't so good about paying for all the B737's they had on order.
Arik declined that first plane (built to Arik specs), and they will never see a triple seven. All the "feel good" posters around the headquarters featuring the 777 are all gone.
The principals at Arik are very much impressed with buzz (and themselves) and not so much on delivery.
The 787's... that was never serious. Not even whispers of those. Or B747-800's or A380's that you might have heard. It all falls under the hollow words of the Arik leadership. As they say in Texas, "big hat, no cattle".
They did, of course, get the two A340's as a deal with Boeing; to be a fix for B777s that they couldn't deliver. Only two Arik pilots have ever flown those two airplanes (unless you count short lived MD, Jason H., as an Arik pilot), and now it appears that those two have been moved to the singular A330. So, reportedly 2.1 million Euros monthly given to HiFly to operate those two birds. Not the fuel. Just crew.
Arik did make good faith efforts to get more 330's. But, I think their collective past is going to harm them (the long, long list of unpaid bills). There are plenty more reading this thread in Arik management who can comment more on that, if they choose.
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Problem is...
Arik performances in 2010
Los-jfk: 27%
Los-lhr: 61%
Los-jnb: 31%
Abv-lhr: 17%
These are all loser routes, the Long Haul LF is all Economy low yield pax. The only way to make money year round is to fill up Business Class and Premium Economy which relies on a global network feed and / or a Global Brand as the NG / UK markets alone do not supply enough high yield pax.
At best Arik are covering their costs plus marginal profit to LHR & JFK in July, August, first half of September, December and first week of January. All other months will be a catastrophic loss.
JNB will be losses all year round with even Business Class at too low a yield in order to compete with SA.
The routes do put foreign exchange into the pot, for immediate cash flow, to pay operationally critical suppliers but the pot will run dry soon as the negative drain continues.
Domestic routes generally do not provide enough yield to support decent profits to maintain an operation with the exception of ABV-LOS - but with over capacity throughout driving down yields even this may prove to be loss making.
VK have Regional sewn up at the moment which offers good yields but not much scope for serious expansion
Los-jfk: 27%
Los-lhr: 61%
Los-jnb: 31%
Abv-lhr: 17%
These are all loser routes, the Long Haul LF is all Economy low yield pax. The only way to make money year round is to fill up Business Class and Premium Economy which relies on a global network feed and / or a Global Brand as the NG / UK markets alone do not supply enough high yield pax.
At best Arik are covering their costs plus marginal profit to LHR & JFK in July, August, first half of September, December and first week of January. All other months will be a catastrophic loss.
JNB will be losses all year round with even Business Class at too low a yield in order to compete with SA.
The routes do put foreign exchange into the pot, for immediate cash flow, to pay operationally critical suppliers but the pot will run dry soon as the negative drain continues.
Domestic routes generally do not provide enough yield to support decent profits to maintain an operation with the exception of ABV-LOS - but with over capacity throughout driving down yields even this may prove to be loss making.
VK have Regional sewn up at the moment which offers good yields but not much scope for serious expansion
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bucks
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Business Plan
Look, its so easy to deduce that Arik has no concrete, easy-to-implement business plan or shall i say business model.
Their biggest problem is they assumed getting new aircraft is the way to making it, WRONG! What's the use of a new machine if you under-utilise it? Arik seems to have a lot of under-utilised machines, i gather most of them get a 'day off' on saturdays!
Now, route strategy or yield management in Arik, that's another kettle of fish! Just don't bother discussing it because it can drive you nuts. If you insist, i would rather watch you lot go nuts!
Their biggest problem is they assumed getting new aircraft is the way to making it, WRONG! What's the use of a new machine if you under-utilise it? Arik seems to have a lot of under-utilised machines, i gather most of them get a 'day off' on saturdays!
Now, route strategy or yield management in Arik, that's another kettle of fish! Just don't bother discussing it because it can drive you nuts. If you insist, i would rather watch you lot go nuts!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Europe
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yield
It would also help to take on disciplin, get things organised and start to work on codeshares and having a long term plan in joining a alliance where the feeder network can be used in a better way. I do not get nutīs but it lookes obious.
Fly safe and land happy
NG
Fly safe and land happy
NG
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: In transit
Age: 70
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They obviously have confidence in their own future, as they've just initiated a loyalty programme.
Arik Air - Your programs
Arik Air - Your programs