From a consultants point of view what is happening there with the work permits? I understand that some of the guys featured in the documentary and accepted by a company are still awaiting their permits.

What type of licence did he have? Also on a slightly different note, anyone who is in Maun just now, where is the cheapest and best place to camp ie Backpackers, Audi etc and also, is it better to book Air Botswana flight prior to travel or at air port on arrival in J bourg

Cheers

The guys and girl who were offered positions at Wilderness on Bush Pilots have been advised that their work permits have been approved. Some of them are doing line training now.

any latin american???
 

Hey guys! are there any latin american pilot (not latin american idol)
i`d like to go but, i think, iy`s gona be more confortable to me, speak sometimes in spanish.
what ever...may be next season i`ll be there
Kily from argentina!!

African Pirate, last summer most of the new pilots stayed at Sedia. It is set back just from the road so easy to get into town. Campers (huge site on river) have access to all the amenities in the hotel, pool etc. Backpackers do not encourage long stay guests now.

Thanks for that Exascot should be there in about 5 weeks. Can I just turn up or does a space have to be booked in advance ?

AP, it is the end of the season and it is an enormous, really nice, camp site there will be no problem. We will also be back in exactly 5 weeks. Often in Sedia for a beer at lunchtime.

Actually I forgot to mention that the other attraction of Sedia is that it is just a 1km walk to (stagger from) the Sports Bar. If you do not know about this establishment you will!

Work Permits
 

As most people know who Exascot is I have been avoiding risking the wrath of a certain employment agency in Maun who arrange work permits for many of the air charter companies. I cannot remain silent anymore. For anyone intelligent enough to be a commercial pilot the process is not difficult. We know from experience that if one is patient and polite the immigration officers are extremely helpful and efficient. OK their computer system does frequently let them down but they are very apologetic about this.

The last tranche of pilots (the film stars!) employed this year had incredible difficulties getting their work permits. There are issues with the quota of non-Batswana pilots that is constantly changing. However, I feel that rather than using a middle-man a personal approach with the immigration officers would be more successful.

The companies would also save a considerable amount of money by not using these people.

Thoughts on a postcard please.

@ Exascot

I have to agree with you. I applied for my work permit in a personal capacity and had very few problems. (Besides the constant computer system problems) They were very friendly if not efficient. I did, however, apply at Francistown so that may have made a difference.

I may be wrong about this, but don't all applications go to Gabs anyway? What I am getting at is that it won't really matter if you do apply without an agency because the decision is essentially made in Gabs and it is just processed in Maun. What matters is who your employer is and the current local problem. I am not sure if Maun works differently and the entire process happens there.

It is also a pretty time consuming task to do it without an agency and that's maybe why its better to get it done this way?

Yes I think you are correct, however, from our long conversations with the Chief Immigration Officer in Maun I gather that she has a lot of influence and input.

It is either way. You waste a lot of time chasing them up, getting copies of paperwork they have lost and dictating letters of recommendation etc to them which they are totally inept with. You wait around for them to turn up at the immigration office when they are late for appointments.

When we went to them for an initial interview they sat us right next to the huge shelf full of files which had 'appeals' in large letters on it. Great PR!

The only good advice we had from them was to be on the doorstep of the Immigration Office at 8 in the morning which we did every visit. It is a bit odd that their own staff only pitch up at about 10 and have to wait with clients for hours.

They are about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Whats happening in Maun at the moment? How many guys are there? If any. What the job prospects are?

Work Permits
 

Does anyone know if when you have a work permit to operate with one company it still applies if you decide to go and work for another one instead?

do you have a job yet? and you're already thinking of going to another company?

It doesn't matter!

You can get there and have 30 people show up the day before, or get there and have 30 people leave the day before.

There could be 20 people there and you still don't get the job (when they hire 25), or there could be 150 people there and they hire you (when they only hire 4).

Your chances don't change based on the number of people there, your chances change based on your attitude - ONLY.

Bush Pilot JOB PROSPECTS!
 

I've just done my research.

1. More local people getting licenses. Operators obliged to hire them before an expat.

2. Required experience 300-350 TT. Major Blue Air require 500TT.

3. Moremi Air is the only one hiring right now Sep 2012. They have 1 position open. Require 300TT for expat. Air Shakawe hiring to begin end of 2013

4. Hiring season Dec- Feb.

Air Shakawe Chief Pilot advised not even to venture to maun unless acquired 350-400TT. He also said 1-2 years ago it was the place to be for a fresh cpl but not anymore. :sad:

darkroomsource:

I am a bit over qualified and far to old :E

As an aviation consultant I just want to know what the rule is please.

Three.Green, did you mean Air Shakawe hiring end of 2012 or 2013?

Ixixly Air Shakawe Chief Pilot said they're possibly going to hire end of 2013. NOT 2012 :(

Also got a call from Delta Air yesterday. Chief Pilot seemed real friendly and wanted to help fresh CPLs. He said basically don't even try visit till u got 500TT.
Maun used to be paradise for low timers. Not anymore.. well sort of. 500TT:}

Alright Batman....

Seems you're the one that thinks he knows everything