View Full Version : International Puma Pilot - Afghanistan
ralphmalph
27th Jul 2012, 08:45
Hey folks,
Does anyone have any information about the wage, roster and conditions for the AFG Puma job?
Any info would be very gratefully received.
Cheers
Ralph
hueyracer
27th Jul 2012, 08:52
You have a security clearance?
Work permit?
ralphmalph
27th Jul 2012, 10:09
Yes, got a UK SC from the military. Been approached about the job, but not much detail as yet!
hueyracer
27th Jul 2012, 10:42
UK security clearance doesnīt count.
I had a security clearance issued by the German Authorities (including an agreement letter signed by the US government, that this clearance is also valid within the US (and for US purpose)).....and it did not count.
If the job requires a DoS security clearance-you might have a tiny chance.
If it requires a DoD security clearance, you can only get it as a US citizen...
ralphmalph
27th Jul 2012, 11:03
Hueyracer,
Thank you. I am being put forward for the job, the one thing sticking in my mind was the pay. It is quoted as a daily rate and 6 weeks on 6 weeks off, I might be being stupid, but does the daily rate apply even when you are on 6 weeks off?
If it doesn't, the money is pretty low!
New to all this!
inputshaft
27th Jul 2012, 11:13
Ralphmalph,
For all the US companies that I know off, the daily rate is for days on site. You're right, any sensible person will do the calculation that you did and realise that it compares badly to other international jobs (eg salaried O&G work), especially when you think about lack of benefits and the like.
Don't be sure sure that you are already "put forward" for the job. I had a similar job offer a few years ago. Despite having been a US Citizen for 8 years, the DoD would not give me a security clearance. I got to the point of me being asked to cut all financial ties with the UK (that is, give up my RAF pension) and give up my UK passport, before I walked away.
ralphmalph
27th Jul 2012, 11:54
Inputshaft,
That sounds ****! The figures I looked at equated to Ģ54k before tax....you can get better jobs teaching on S300 in the UK.
If it is as you say, I will steer 100NM clear!
Disappointing!
hueyracer
27th Jul 2012, 13:19
If itīs the job i think it is (FOB Shank?), they struggled to find pilots for a long time.
Now, the contract has been extended (with a huge cut in payment)-as far as i have heard...but this are all rumours...
My advice: Wait until you get a real offer.....
Looks like you got one of these "I am the hiring agent for this job....would you be available to deploy"?-Mails....
A lot of recruiters are trying to get between pilots and some jobs..promising almost everything...
Most of the time, itīs just "hot air".....
And you get paid "on task" only....no monthly retainer or anything..
Be aware of the Visa-issue...some pilots have to stay at home and wait for their visaīs to be renewed....which can take up to 6 month.....
Horror box
27th Jul 2012, 16:41
Ralph,
I would steer clear if I were you. You can almost certainly do better. If you are looking at commuting anyway and are not too worried about the boredom, then go offshore and take home twice that in pay, with a decent pension and insurance on top. You might find anything from 2/2 to 6/6 in a comfortable, safe operation. I am pretty sure there is going to be more recruiting going on soon around certain parts of the north sea.
ralphmalph
27th Jul 2012, 17:38
Horror Box,
Looks like it! If the money was paid 365 it would be about right for an operation with little in the way of benefits, no CSAR and in an austere environment with the threat of having your head cut off while wearing an orange boiler suit!
How do they get people to do this?? Bonkers?
hueyracer
27th Jul 2012, 17:56
These times are long gone....you should have started looking 5 years ago.
With the war (and the US presence) in Iraq ending, and the withdrawal from Afghanistan, there are hundreds of experienced pilots looking for the next job....
Horror box
27th Jul 2012, 21:36
Ralph,
couldn't agree more. No CSAR all but closes the deal for me. On top of that - no door gunner, no 9mm in my pocket, no extra rifle strapped to the back of my armoured seat, no wing man, no DAS, probably no armour, no casevac - no thank-you.
It will not be the same as the last time we did that type of op, thats for sure!
p.s. looking at your location - are you by any chance a Wallop-warrior?
OldTrout
28th Jul 2012, 16:20
I see those boys flying around quite a bit out here - Evergreen Helicopters. Sounds like they have lots of non US nationalities working for them from hearing them on the radio.
Here's the job postings on their website...
Evergreen Employment - Jobs (http://www.evergreenaviation.com/emp/index.html)
Evergreen International Aviation Job Postings (http://www1.recruitingcenter.net/clients/evergreenaviation/publicjobs/controller.cfm?jbaction=JobProfile&Job_Id=11323&esid=az)