Algeria and Libya

[Farrell]

Tentative job offer for me to work in Algeria for a few months and then on with the same employer to work in Libya for what I think will be at least a year.

Anyone working in either place who can give me a heads-up on what life is like there?

Farrell

[brklyyn]

Hey Farell!

Good for you, pretty lucky to get a job these times...
may I ask which company it is?

Well, I can help you with Algeria... The country is okay, you can find pratically anything you want, there's supermarkets (like Lecler, french chain) The people are friendly, they can speak french(depends on where you are)....

feel free to ask!

ciao

[africacorps]

Hi,
I have been in Libya (Benghazi) working since August,living conditions in city are good just like any other major city ie: Restaurants,Hotels,broadband etc NO BARS and women locked up at night,i have never seen one out and about.
It is very peaceful and no major hassles and people friendly enough,the main bug bear is RED TAPE i have never experienced the like but no outward sign of corruption,typical 60`s socialist ideas 100 people doing the job of 10 but plenty of day`s off for them!!! always the ones yu need to get that `stamp`:* I would take lots of books with you!! saying that you have the internet and I hope you like coffee/Fanta etc

Africa Corps

[Der absolute Hammer]

I think you will find Libya excellent but you must value their values.
Algeria in general, more fun and more dangerous.

[Farrell]

Thanks folks - I am getting more keen to go the more I read up on it.

Sounds just like Oman - especially for the admin! :)

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Come on Farrel, admit it. The only reason you want to go to Algeria is to get into that naked Legionnaire dancing thing they do there....:E

[LH2]

No experience in Algeria, but I have done two years in Libya in a non-flying job. I think you will like it, it is not quite Oman in terms of development and comfort, but at least the driving will be familiar to you!

A thing I really like about Libya is that it's not particularly touristy, just a few Rallye-style adventure types, and the odd bus full of German retirees in Indiana Jones apparel.

People are perfectly fine, courteous and friendly but not pests. Government red tape is as usual. Number One's (that's what you will call Him) character is often described as "mercurial", and I think that fits well his governing style. I still remember when they decided to confiscate all Toyota's. A day latter it was going to be all private and company Toyota's... unless they had a red stripe painted along the sides :) Of course, a week later, Number Two made friends again with the local Toyota dealer and nothing happened, but this sort of things will keep you amused. :ok:

[Farrell]

Sounds like a blast!

Twotter.....grrrr! :}

[Der absolute Hammer]

Think you will also like Algerian music.
Look for Khaled Hafla on internet. He is very popular through out northern Africa.

[chuks]

Presently in Algeria for Guess Who since almost two years. It is okay if you like sand and solitude.

[sky waiter]

Its hot sandy, hope you can speak french, and you have to try the tea! :ok:

[Farrell]

I do speak French so no problems there:

Can anyone of you who are living there now please give me a rundown of how much it would cost me to live there per month?

I have my accommodation included in the contract - so am looking for prices for food and water each month.....and couscous and rice etc :)

Merci :)

[LH2]

It is okay if you like sand and solitude.

And who wouldn't? :ok: Oh, the good old times :)

[sky waiter]

Where are you staying and for whom is the contract?

If it is for the oil companies, we recieved three meals a day- all laundry and our "chambre" was cleaned daily. If you are at an oil camp, you will spend zero because you cant go anywhere to spend the money. In hassi, you would need to pay for alchol and cell phone cards.

Used sparingly as i didnt drink much I spent USD50 in 3 five week tours.

Otherwise i found most things to be on a par or slightly more expensive than in South Africa.

There i posted something constructive for a change!!! :ok:

[Farrell]

Contract is with an aviation training provider based out of Algiers which occasional hops to other cities in Algeria.

Accommodation is provided but I am getting a bit concerned about there being no company vehicle provided and having to leave every three months to change visa.

If this company is as well-established as they say they are then I can't see how they have not arranged for a 12 month working visa to be issued to their staff by the Algerian government.

Will keep you advised.

Farrell

[sky waiter]

Welcome to Algeria,

Thats the Algerian laws, they will not allow you in for that length of time until you have actually been to the country first.

Mmmmmm never been to Algiers really but you should need a car, not sure how well a training organisation will run there! But i may be entirely wrong. Good luck!

[diarmuid8]

Hi people,

Anybody lived in Tripoli and operated out of HLLT?
Any info. appreciated.
Di.

[almalhoufe]

hello,,,,

Libya is a good country, it is very cheep, people freindly and nice.
for information about TRIPOLI contact me on:
ALMALHOUFE009"yahoo.co.uk

[Farrell]

Alma....

Thank you for your reply.
I will be in touch.

Farrell

[cap.shilli]

Mate
,iam a libyan national,and iam a Commercial Pilot too,and i have been living in uk but since 4 yrs i came back 2 tripoli,libya,
the place is 100% safe.
ppl here like forginer and respect them coz they belive these ppl came 2 improve the country, ture !

the country is cheap,i have rented my flat which is 2rooms,atach bath rooms,kitchen,and guest room for 300$ to a Italian man,
he works for oil company and he use 2 spent no more than 300$ for
Food,tansportation,gas and elcticity bills,

what else i can tell u,,,,the place is not very devolop,but still under procces,hundered of forginer companies r working in tripoli 2 improve Road,shopimg centres,towers,etc,

the ppl r frendly...and english is widly spoken here,,,
transprotation,super markets,farmacy available 24 hours 7days a week
Night clubs,bars and dico r NO WAY !!!! but stil u can go for those private clubs organised by the Embassies and forginer companies ! where uc an enjoy parties, and drinks,

for more info,contac me at
[email protected]
[email protected]

[booze]

Hey,

Algeria is not too bad, but no debit/credit card facilities (at least nothing in the South, just for locally issued cards...), so cash-cash-cash! I've found it pretty safe as well, so far...:E

Otherwise there are 3 (counted so far in the past 2 weeks :rolleyes:) major players in the "contract-field": Tassili (local), Air Express (aeries operated by Air-Tec :D and Solenta :D) and Star Aviation (swiss operator: Zimex). Mostly flying for the oil companies. Accomodations are generally not too bad, with nice food, but beware, that most of the oil camps are DRY! :ugh: and not just because it's the Sahara... :cool: (nevertheless, you'll get booze in the major hubs anyways :E)

So if you are an experienced L410/420, B190/BE20, PC6 or DHC6 driver :cool: this is the place for you!

Cheerz,

Booze

Ps.: no laughs guys, just trying these smilies out for the first time... :)

[Goffel]

Which of the three companies mentioned in the above thread are actually looking for crew in Algeria.

I am rated on the B1900 ; Twotter ; LET 410/420...???

Goffel..lying on the beach topless.

[V1... Ooops]

I've worked in both countries, and they are both quite OK. Far better than just about all the sub-Saharan countries.

Libya is probably the better of the two, it is for the most part a rural, agricultural country, and the people are very pleasant. If you have a relaxed nature and can 'go with the flow', you will probably make friends and enjoy your time there.

As others have mentioned, there is a bit more activity and perhaps a few more choices in Algeria (you can buy wine, beer, etc.), but there are more people there, more political dissent, etc. The commercial atmosphere amongst the foreign resource companies is more competitive (there are far more foreign companies in Algeria than in Libya), and this can sometimes create a bit of tension that you won't find in Libya.

Both countries can be unpleasant places to be during the heat of the summer, and also during fly season, but for the most part, the climate is pretty good.

Zimex is a good company, I have worked for them in the past and have pleasant memories.

[booze]

Goffel,

I think it's worth to send a cv to all the mentioned companies. :ok:

Cheerz,

booze

[Farrell]

I'll be out in Algeria after February and then I go to Libya hopefully around the May/June mark.

Am looking forward to meeting some of you there.

Farrell

[booze]

Merry Xmas to all the "sandblasters" out here! :) Try to enjoy it in the "dry" camps :{ as well!

Hopefully 2009 will give us cooler drinks and ITTs! :cool:

Enjoy,

Booze

[flying away]

hi well i am Algerian :cool:if you need any thing i am here ok and are you located in Algiers or in the sahara (south) just to help you with some info i work for oil company here in Algiers and sometimes i go to sahara so see you here soon

[mkdreamliner]

hello guys

im very interested in flyin in Algeria or Libya.
What are the prospects for low-timers in these 2 countries and can anyone tell me of companies recruiting over there?

thx

[SAS-A321]

Is Algeria and Lybia JAA or ICAO? Are most aircraft flying there JAR country regged?

[EladElap]

MKDreamliner, unfortunately the oil companies that these operators do the bulk of their flying for, have very high requirements to fly these contracts. FO on the 1900 is 1000 hrs plus TT for many of the routes. But don't give up, pop the above mentioned companies a CV.