Afganistan ATC Jobs

[maddog69]

Anyone have any info on ATC jobs in Afganistan, ie working conditions, pay, accomadations and benefits. Thanks

[Monkey Madness]

Depends on what you are interested in... Tower , RAPCON or Aera (Proc), and where in Afghanistan you want to look?

[maddog69]

Qualified in all of the above. I am really looking for general info.

[yellowplane]

ICAO looking for folk in Kabul

[maddog69]

Any info ?

[arrffaa]

I hear that golf has improved recently in Afghanistan now that the trolley ban has been removed!

[Monkey Madness]

Midwest ATC is a good place to start. They currently do Bagram (Radar definatly, and I believe Twr), Kabul Approach (Radar), Kabul ACC (Proc). There are other areas too.

As for Kabul Tower, you are right that they are looking for ICAO controllers - currently it's a mixture of ISAF provided Military ATCO's and ISAF employed civilians (mainly ex mil). Last time I was there they were just pushing the first of the ICAO guys through the theory side of things. I must say though that if you do end up there the Afghani civils who work upstairs are a good bunch - especially Rafi.

As for your orig post, I can only talk for Kabul. The guys have rooms on the ISAF site, the conditions are very good considering where they are. Hours I can't say as it depends on what you are used to. Lets face it though, you have no where else to go! Pay is a closed house issue depending on who you work for.

MM

[maddog69]

Thanks for the info

[Gne]

The rumour mill says that following a change in the ICAO project leadership most of the ATC guys on the Kabul project have departed or are about to depart. Does anyone have any factual?

I heard the senior ATC guy was cut out of the loop by the new project leader because he questioned changes in entitlements and asked why professional ATC matters were being decided by non ATC people. The same source said the senior instructor was also sidelined by the leader and left at short notice, along with the most experienced tower controller for better paying jobs in UAE.

Not a happy camp from all reports.

Gne

[Shuski]

Does anybody knows if they are still hiring? Salary?

[Capt Zorro]

hi all,

I have up to date info on ICAO Kabul, from a friend of mine currently working there, but he is also looking to leave.(he is not willing to put the info up himself in case of retribution).

In his words, the project is in a shanbles due to inept management skills from ICAO HQ and from the new PM there.
Salary including allowances in vicinity of $160,000 USD plus pa
6 weeks on and 1 week off on full pay plus allowance for week off
you live out in Kabul and pay rent which is expensive, you may get some of that back.You do not live on base with ICAO.
security very dodgy according to him
One controller apparently left around NOvember (family reasons apparently), one died recently and apparently one has just resigned in last few days (reason unknown), so he says, leaving only 2 controllers left.
apparently the new PM had some involvement with the demise of the previous PM
and apparently there were issues re the instructor and the ATM expert vs the new PM that resulted in them leaving at various stages of their contracts.
The new Pm and his deputy apparently have no ATM experience whatsoever and the ATM expert has yet to be replaced.
apparently only around 18 months of work leftI am told they need 8 controllers, and since only 2 are left that leaves 6 to hire. Word has it that about 3-4 have already been offered jobs, and some others who were offered have now declined. So it seems there may be some room left if interested.
Gees, after reading what I was asked to type sounds like a rudderless ship to me, are you sure you would want to work there??

thats it from me.



hi MM hows things I think we have crossed somewhere recently.

[Shuski]

Even so, if they can wire Portuguese Ex-mil, i'll be on the next plain!
Give more info! Contacts?

Midwest ATC is only getting USA citizens.

Thanks

Shusky

[Monkey Madness]

Things don't sound good out there... not good at all.

Thanks for the update Capt' :ok: I've PM'd you

[Bongodingo]

Anybody heard of any updates on the Midwest sites?

[Shuski]

I've sent my aplication and I would like to know if the shortes listed candidates is out?
I'm very anxious!!! Please help me out with any info available!!
Thanx

.oO(Keeping my fingers crossed)

[John Hill]

I guess facilities have improved somewhat since this picture was taken of the only position in Kabul Centre in 1999?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3711476565_e2215cb983.jpg

As you can see it was the day new chairs arrived. We installed a VSAT network, VHFs, AFTN with a connection to Karachi, voice to Lahore (?) etc. Installation were in Kabul, Khandah, Mazar, J'bad, Herat, there might have been another but I forget.

Not so long ago really...

[Bongodingo]

What company have you applied with?

[Shuski]

ISAF - civilian vacancies :)

[Quokka]

What's with all the plastic?

[swamy64aqua]

a batch mate of mine from IGIA delhi went on a 1 year ICAO contract only to return in 7 months.. if one doesnot feel claustrophobic kabul may be the place.. but why would one risk one's life in an extremely hostile environ:bored:

[Shuski]

There are people that need the money ...

And disregarding european laws ... portuguese mil controlers are not recognized.
They do control civilian aircrafts and some even work at international airports (such as Lages - Azores) !!!!
Life sucks ...

And the paycheck over there is BIG!!! 1 year is over in a sec ... and you can always return every 3 months ...

I do belive is worth th risk ... but if can get me as an ATC over India i'll glady go there to!

If your buddy still have is contacts over there ... ask if the short listed candidates have been selected and warned!

Thanx

[Radar35]

Please PM with contact details....very interested!! Thanks :ok:

[Shuski]

short listed candidates did not include me ...

does anybody knows how can i improve my CV????

:(

[Nate26]

Tell you what there is one Tower guy at Kandahar that is gonna need a replacement if he keeps on f*&^ing with the guys that carry stuff that goes boom. Seriously, what is it with civilians in a combat zone. If I say I am a medevac or I am enroute to a TIC I dont give a damn about anthing on a 10 mile final, and I am sure as hell not *asking* for permision to launch from the bleedin' ATC.

[Grabbers]

Nate 26,

You said it. Civilians in a combat zone. Not necessarily bad practitioners but different priorities and a lack of understanding? Definitely.

[Monkey Madness]

Nate 26.

Whilst I understand your frustrations, airing them on here will not achieve much for your cause. If anything it will only taint other airspace users views on the ATS provided at OAKN.

Why not contact the SATCO, and ask for a meeting to discuss your concerns and requirements. It does work, as I was involved in a similar situation in Kabul.

That aside, good luck and stay safe!

MM

[TRACKBALL]

anyone from Midwest ATC got word on the "spring offensive" in kabul today?

BBC News - Taliban strike across Afghanistan in 'spring offensive' (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17719956)

[blissbak]

Yea the famous talibans union strike, they're looking for a contract improvement :)

[TRACKBALL]

for anyone thinking of the big-bucks and adventure of working in the world's most dangerous country, here's a letter I received from a friend of mine...

Frankly, Afghanistan absolutely sucks. I suppose I've done much better here than most, but life here is hard in the extreme.


You live in a room that is very small for one person. The company has you share that room with another controller. Two guys in a small room made for one person. The toilets and showers are all down the hall.


You drive to and from work twice a day. That's four trips in a minivan that is being held together with duct tape. You drive through an Afghan town wearing your armored vest and at any moment a suicide bomber could send you to paradise.


The food is plentiful and heavy, but not very good and you tire of it quickly.


Everyone here is in a very, very bad mood. As a trainee they treat you like crap. I have often been yelled at, yes, actually, yelled at in the control room many times for making the mistakes trainees make.


The guys here are all miserable because they hate it, but they really need the money.


Out of seven guys in my class, only two of us remain. Two of the seven left for home the very day they arrived here. They took one look around and quit. This is a foul place that has way too many flies.


That all being said, I love foul places. I have often vacationed in third world countries. I think it's interesting.That's the only reason I'm still here. I think it's interesting.



Oh yes, the traffic here is off the charts. This is not the FAA. They don't care how busy you get - you just deal with it. The traffic is insane and I only recommend it to people who have an overabundance of self-confidence.


If I were you, I'd stay away. If you want an adventure so you can tell stories later on, then come on out. It sucks, but I was here when they killed Osama bin Laden. I can say I worked in a war zone. What the hell. :)

[yakkity yak]

Does anyone have any information on the status of the current Afghan CAA ATM tenders??

Off their website, all the info is there. I am aware they had a big briefing day in Dubai in April 2013, and there is a bunch of Utube flicks which covers that meeting, very interesting. There were up to about 20 interested parties there for that.

The timelines were not realistic as according to the briefs they wanted the contractor in situ by end 2013, but that never happened.
however word has it that 6 or 7 companies who specialise in ATM contracts were invited to an onsite briefing in Afghanistan around mid January, but only 3 or 4 actually turned up and as far as I know tenders had to be in by the end of January.
The winning tenderer is supposed to now be in situ by June or July this year, not sure that is realistic timeline.
My contact has informed me that Serco is one of those tenderers but trying to find out who the others were. I would expect at least one US company to tender, but since I suspect there will be issues about guarantee of funding and payment many may not be interested in this one.
Does anyone know when the announcement is due for the winning tender is due to be made?
Anyone with more info please either PM me or post on thread.
:confused: