REB737 - Suffice it to say no one knows what the future will hold. Protesters with legitimate grievances are in fact a big deal, though moreso in the countryside than Addis itself. The government is attempting limited reforms to address their grievances. Your guess is as good as mine as to whether or not that will work, but I'd still apply for the job if I were you.

Background - When the communist dictatorship was overthrown, a big part of the fighting was done by the Tigrayan Revolutionary Front (or some such).

There are (more or less) four major ethnic groups in Ethiopia (and some smaller ones). The Somalis are generally in the east of the country and don't matter to this discussion. The Tigrayans are the smallest of the major ethnic groups, but also the most politically powerful. Many of the high-ranking politicians and army officers are Tigray. (Though not the current prime minister, an Oromo). The Amhara are, like the Tigray, from the north of the country. Together the Amhara and the Tigray are the two groups associated with the 2-thousand-year history of urban civilization (much of which is dominated by Christianity). The Oromo are the new kids on the block, ethnically speaking. They were an interior tribal people that conquered a bunch of territory in what is now southern Ethiopia a few hundred years ago and more-or-less assimilated to Ethiopian culture & helped the recent Ethiopian emperors conquer some more territory (especially along what is now the Sudanese/southern border).

Ethiopia is very much a federal state, with the various states corresponding to ethnic territories (think Scotland, Wales, etc. in the U.K.). There are two big complaints by the Oromo (and, less importantly, Amhara) against the government (aka Tigray). One is a lack of political freedom. Which is fair - who gets to participate in elections is very limited in Ethiopia. An individual Oromo isn't generally discriminated against in everyday life though. The second big criticism is that Addis Ababa's administrative area is being expanded by annexing Oromo farm land, and that in general the government awards large development projects to foreign companies by giving them rights to productive land in Oromo & Amhara regions.

Will this affect you? Probably not. There is some concern - the more destructive of the protests/riots have specifically targeted major foreign investments, which the airline could be seen as part of. But in general this seems to be more land disputes than a genuine anti-foreigner bias (even the few cases of foreign investments targeted, it's generally buildings being burnt down at night and NOT foreign employees being put at risk), and of course the airline isn't a big land-user. AKA, Tigrays are taking our traditional farmland and selling it to some big European company to enrich themselves leaving us with nothing, so we're mad. Again - not a problem with the airline.

Could a war break out in the country? Possibly, if ethnic tensions get worked up - the Oromo are the largest of the ethnic groups in Ethiopia. But it's a real long-shot, I consider that highly unlikely. Not least because this has NOT been a problem over the last few generations, so there is no ready-made Oromo militia or source of arms.

Is religious extremism a problem? There are a lot of Muslims (and Christians...) in Ethiopia, but religious tensions aren't generally part of the current political landscape, nor are extremist groups. Somalis tend to be Muslim, Oromo roughly split Christian-Muslim, and Tigray and Amhara tend to be Christian. Christianity will dominate in Addis.

Personally, I would NOT let this worry stop me from taking the job. Ethiopia has strong, centralized government without a lot of corruption problems. There has been violence, but it is not widespread and not generally in Addis (and has generally been the result of the government being harsh on protesters). It's not a traditional African conflict. I'd see this as similar to/having elements of the Basque separatist conflict in Spain (but less assassinations), fights over land in Brazil, or even the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (again, with a LOT less violence). You'd still be willing to take a job in Barcelona or Bilbao, and personally I'd prefer a job in Addis than in Rio or Tel Aviv.

Suggested precautions - live close to the airport/city center in Addis. There's no real hostility to the historic parts of the city, just the new developments on the outskirts. Those I'd avoid. P.S. I wouldn't take a job there if I was gay though. Despite having a very different flavor of Christianity than the rest of Africa, it's still a pretty hostile country to homosexuals.

Great post! You obviously have made an effort to gain some insight and knowledge vis a vis your current situation, environment and employer. Too few expats(diplomats included) make the effort of "knowing their neighborhood". I may not always like where I am or where I live, but at least make an effort to have abit of local knowledge. Too many expats arrive looking for work and don't make any attempt to leave their hotel, let alone get to know the country they reside in.

MisterFred, thank you very much for the reply. It gives very good inside info.

This current threat has been the most informative on Ethiopian! Thanks for the great posts. I'd flown freighters into ADD, was tempted in the past to apply and never did. Still thinking about applying, as I know the issues and the commute. One more question, in regards to an update. With so many expats leaving, are some of the guys still flying over 100hrs a month on the 777?

Anybody here who can give information about the roaster of B737 fleet? Which destination, how many hours in 20 days, any layovers, etc?

Contract Staff Travel
 

I hear Ethiopian Airlines pilots are no longer entitled to confirmed business class seats when traveling to work and back on their days off, but will only now be upgraded from economy at the discretion of the gate agent...
Not a great way to attract or retain pilots I think.

Or just refuse to get on the jet.

I am going on January 9 and 10 for the screening on the 767 fleet. Any suggestions ?
Thanks

Prepare to fly in economy.

Not a good thing to start an screening! Are there any latinos flying the 767 fleet?
What is the sim scenario? Addis?
Tell about the routes please. Africa and what outside Africa? All the flights are round trip or there are layovers?

Dogged: Is that confirmed info. regarding the tickets to/from work?

CAP B767: Please let us know the details of your screening. I'm also planning to be there on 16-17th January.

Regrettably yes it is..."with immediate effect"

It does not sound like a 'happy place' to be in?

Guys I have the interview and sim to the B767/ 757 fleet the second week of January and before going I want to ask some questions :
1- as I read, on training they provide the hotel with breakfast included and the per diem of 60 US daily, but the basic pay (7000US) is not payed until all training is finished and The pilot is flying on the line.
So, how much time to be on the line , 2 or 3 months? Then, if total training took let's say 3 months they owed 7000x3= 21000 US, do they pay that on the next month, or they take several months to pay?
2- as I read, no more business tickets for the conmute and now is always on economic class even on a long route like ADD- GRU ?

It now appears that pilots are no longer entitled to the 30 days sick leave as stated it the contract. All sick days, even if signed off by a Dr. at the Ethiopian Airlines clinic are now being removed from the GDOs (Guaranteed Days Off) or you will be required to work extra days on your rotation to pay them back.
EG. If you are working a 20/10 (20 days on / 10 days off) rotation and you are sick for 2 days you are now required to work a 20/8 or a 22/10 rotation to pay back your sick days...That will sure teach those darn pilots not to be sick.
You are also only allowed to use a MAXIMUM of 2.5 sick days in any month!!! Don't know what happens if you are sick for 3 or more days.
And you are still required to fly in economy no matter where you are traveling to/from.
B777 + B787 Captains must also sign a $15,000 US bond (deducted from your pay) and only returned after 3 years service, no matter what your experience.
For $9000 US per month (B777 / B787) it all looks pretty dim.
I have read a recent contract and it seems like a lot of bait and switch to me. Get them in Addis and then hand them a different contract.
We can only wonder what the next round of changes will bring.
Good luck boys and girls.

Cap 767,
I would be very careful whether joining ET is still the right decision. As you mentioned earlier you were interested in FZ aswell. Sure, it is not the yellow from the egg but probably the better option than ET.
With a WB-rating and PIC time, many doors are open for you.
Keep these options in mind and consider joining Ethiopian carefully.
Good luck

Thanks for the advise flyac.

Survey of African jobs
 

Questions for you foreign and local drivers based in Ethiopia:

1. What are the requirements at ETH or level of education in Ethiopia to become Chief Pilot or V.P Ops? The exiled pilot in Basle, Switzerland claims that these individuals are nothing but monkeys even when they wear a suit, true?

2. Is the ECAA another branch of Ethiopian or are they enforcing the rules and regulations? Several reports have been filed with U.S FDO's about duty and flying time limitation violations. EASA and U.K inspectors are weary of African airliners.

3. Is it true the Pilot Union president was caught on camera in the pool in LAX drunk and sodomising one of his F/A's? Did he get fired? Reinstated thereafter? I read an article on the Herald Tribune, must have been embarrassing.

4. Do you guys get paid? Several posts I have read in this forum inviting to doubts, dishonest management, local pilots paid like pawns, F/A's from several parts of Africa?

5. Is the medical assessment similar to EASA? FAA? Any issues with used syringes when taking lab tests?

6. Is buying a car in Addis a good idea considering so many places of interest to visit? Are roads in good shape considering the rain and subsiding of the asphalt?

7. Ethiopian peoples and culture? Are they educated? Are whites males preferred over locals or you have to have a degree in Orthodox religion? I hear the girls in Ethiopia grow hair compared to western Africans? Are they witty? Efficient?

8. What was the cause of the accident Ethiopian had out of Beirut? Was it fatigue or some sort of foul play? Any investigation results to review?

9. Is there an age limit to join? I am A350 Captain based in LUX, any chances I can be confined simply to do European flying based in Europe? Are all pilots based in Addis? Pay in local currency of Euros/USD?

10. I read the present CEO seem to be a very successful entrepreneur, and well educated man, is he posting some foreign staff in key roles? Or is this a full Ethiopian citizen gig?

11. What do they mean on their ads by "The new Spirit of Africa"? It appears to be a good hub, but is it really a safe airline to fly with?

12. What are the implications of foreign staff based in Addis when Ethiopia is surrounded by conflicts in the South of Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, is the police or military there any good to contain a max exodus?

You're an EU national, based in Europe, a Captain on the latest and greatest airliner in the world and you're asking about going to Africa? Then you have a slew of questions, many of which indicate that you're concerned about security. Something doesn't add up.

Hei do you want to come in ethiopia to work or to get married?
This is a nice company to work for with good people to deal with. But stay where you are, also because they are not hiring expats on A350.