Working in Turkey
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: lara beach
Sunexpress was the best charter company in turkey before 76 mafia took over, now its not that perfect anymore, definatly not for civilian pilots. Wish it would be different but the atmosphere in the company is dangerously bad.
Good luck but.
Good luck but.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Antalya
Hi guys,
some lecture for you.
76 MAFIA MEANS A BUNCH OF DANGEROUS INCOMPETENT EX MILITARY IDIO.. WHO GRADUATED IN 1976. THE MOST DANGEROUS GROUP IN TURKISH AILRINE INDUSTRY. YOU CAN FIND THEM IN NEARLY EVERY AIRLINE.
THE IDIO.. IN SUN EXPR@@SS are very strong because they are supported by GM, &%$#$%
BUT FOR LOW EXPERIENCED GUYS A GOOD MOVE. BUT DONT EXPECT TOO MUCH, NO SAFETY, LOW STANDARTS BUT BEATIFUL COUNTRY, GOOD FOOD AND NICE GIRLS.
Atlas and onur are the best right now. Avoid sun.
some lecture for you.
76 MAFIA MEANS A BUNCH OF DANGEROUS INCOMPETENT EX MILITARY IDIO.. WHO GRADUATED IN 1976. THE MOST DANGEROUS GROUP IN TURKISH AILRINE INDUSTRY. YOU CAN FIND THEM IN NEARLY EVERY AIRLINE.
THE IDIO.. IN SUN EXPR@@SS are very strong because they are supported by GM, &%$#$%
BUT FOR LOW EXPERIENCED GUYS A GOOD MOVE. BUT DONT EXPECT TOO MUCH, NO SAFETY, LOW STANDARTS BUT BEATIFUL COUNTRY, GOOD FOOD AND NICE GIRLS.
Atlas and onur are the best right now. Avoid sun.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: here and there
Working in Turkey
Hi all,
there're good outfits in Turkey. Best of all used to be Sunexpress.
Following the topic (safety standards) I unfortunately have to change my mind.
Turkey is a great country but when it comes to aviation somewhat
screwed up.
The number of airlines coming and going every year is surprisingly high - and if you look who is behind them (owns them) you'll always find the same names.
Rather small tour operators try to form an airline whereas they try to keep it as cheap as possible. Where do they safe?
Training, mx and labour costs.
Until just a few years ago there was no real flight school for civilians. That explains the high number of military pilots (still way over 90%). All management and instructor positions are filled by these guys and they have their very own way of doing things.
Why is it like this?
The CAA is playing a big role in this as well. It will have to change but also will take a couple of years.
As a military pilot you'll get into the left seat after a year of flying for an airline. As a civilian...well you can imagine!
Stay away from FLY and Onur. I know that nothing changed since they've been banned. Maybe their paperwork is in order now, but the same people are still in charge.
When it comes to websites:
Yes it is new to most of the companies and the old way would still be the best way. Go to the office, present your cv, have a cup of tea with the c/p and you might get a job. It helps when you know someone who knows someone (like in every other company).
I've been there, had a great time but have no plans to do it again for known reasons.
there're good outfits in Turkey. Best of all used to be Sunexpress.
Following the topic (safety standards) I unfortunately have to change my mind.
Turkey is a great country but when it comes to aviation somewhat
screwed up.
The number of airlines coming and going every year is surprisingly high - and if you look who is behind them (owns them) you'll always find the same names.
Rather small tour operators try to form an airline whereas they try to keep it as cheap as possible. Where do they safe?
Training, mx and labour costs.
Until just a few years ago there was no real flight school for civilians. That explains the high number of military pilots (still way over 90%). All management and instructor positions are filled by these guys and they have their very own way of doing things.
Why is it like this?
The CAA is playing a big role in this as well. It will have to change but also will take a couple of years.
As a military pilot you'll get into the left seat after a year of flying for an airline. As a civilian...well you can imagine!
Stay away from FLY and Onur. I know that nothing changed since they've been banned. Maybe their paperwork is in order now, but the same people are still in charge.
When it comes to websites:
Yes it is new to most of the companies and the old way would still be the best way. Go to the office, present your cv, have a cup of tea with the c/p and you might get a job. It helps when you know someone who knows someone (like in every other company).
I've been there, had a great time but have no plans to do it again for known reasons.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Antalya
If you really need a job or u want bo build some hours than go for it otherwise you will get an ulcer.
Sun Ex was the best airline managed by competent guys. But now it is like all the others , @ns@fe, extremely, but thanks god to Boooing and aiiiiirbuuuuuuuus. Protections, Warnings etc etc.
Trainingstandarts worse than in Uganda. I am not kidding. I am very very serious.
18 pilots left sun ex within 1,5 years. Because of the military system. ITs getting dangerous.
Imagine the Trainingsboss of Sun was actually failed in Hamburg, he was actually failed during his Sim , and than training. And now he is doing training. So think about it.
The previous TM of Sun was a guy with excellent performance. He got an excellent report from LH where he did his Upgrade training.
They fired him with dirty tricky games because he was good.
And the GM is somebody without any backbone and honour.
But again to built hours to find a better job its a good deal. But be careful these guys are dangerous.
Sun Ex was the best airline managed by competent guys. But now it is like all the others , @ns@fe, extremely, but thanks god to Boooing and aiiiiirbuuuuuuuus. Protections, Warnings etc etc.
Trainingstandarts worse than in Uganda. I am not kidding. I am very very serious.
18 pilots left sun ex within 1,5 years. Because of the military system. ITs getting dangerous.
Imagine the Trainingsboss of Sun was actually failed in Hamburg, he was actually failed during his Sim , and than training. And now he is doing training. So think about it.
The previous TM of Sun was a guy with excellent performance. He got an excellent report from LH where he did his Upgrade training.
They fired him with dirty tricky games because he was good.
And the GM is somebody without any backbone and honour.
But again to built hours to find a better job its a good deal. But be careful these guys are dangerous.
Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 118
From: USA
It has been recommended by a couple of people here that one should just head for Turkey and start knocking on doors to get a job there. While I recognize the value of face-to-face contact, how practical is the suggestion ? I admit I'm a total novice at the expat world and know that I don't know; that's why I'm asking all of you.
I have difficulty believing one can just hop a flight to IST with a pile of resumes, start going around knocking on doors and hope to be allowed to see chief pilots. This is so far from how it's done over here that I can't see it actually working.
Here, no one gets is to see any airline HR manager or chief pilot without an invitation generated by an application or resume being emailed/faxed in advance. Any attempt to do so would only result in being stopped at the front gate by security. This would be an expensive exercise if it were a total failure.
I'd love to be able to sit down with a CP and plead my case but just can't head for IST with nothing more than high hopes.
Has this approach worked for any of you who didn't go through an agency ? Thanks.
I have difficulty believing one can just hop a flight to IST with a pile of resumes, start going around knocking on doors and hope to be allowed to see chief pilots. This is so far from how it's done over here that I can't see it actually working.
Here, no one gets is to see any airline HR manager or chief pilot without an invitation generated by an application or resume being emailed/faxed in advance. Any attempt to do so would only result in being stopped at the front gate by security. This would be an expensive exercise if it were a total failure.
I'd love to be able to sit down with a CP and plead my case but just can't head for IST with nothing more than high hopes.
Has this approach worked for any of you who didn't go through an agency ? Thanks.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: The world is my Playground
Hi guys,
Already a lot is said about this topic.
One straight fact I can tell is the following:
If you are an expat(wannabee) wanting to work in turkey,
you need a type rating with at least some experience on it.
Agencies generally ask for at least 500 hours on type.
But I know of one turkish company that invited a foreign pilot for interview with 150 hours on type.
Yes there is a shortage of pilots here but right now they need experienced expats.
What is said about websites is true, they are not reliable.
If you no someone inside you're one step ahead, if not:
give the company a call, call them back and then.....give them another call. (they're extremely bad at returning calls).;
Go knock on doors if you live around but dont come here on a one way trip with a bunch of cv's.
I cant comment on the chances for non rated turkish pilots but my bet is you have a better shot to get in than non rated expats.
Correct me if I'm wrong
Dangerous??? Not (yet) in my short experience.
Lots of room for improvement???? Absolutely.
Still, in the words of Sun737
Anyway best of luck to you all looking for a job here.
Already a lot is said about this topic.
One straight fact I can tell is the following:
If you are an expat(wannabee) wanting to work in turkey,
you need a type rating with at least some experience on it.
Agencies generally ask for at least 500 hours on type.
But I know of one turkish company that invited a foreign pilot for interview with 150 hours on type.
Yes there is a shortage of pilots here but right now they need experienced expats.
What is said about websites is true, they are not reliable.
If you no someone inside you're one step ahead, if not:
give the company a call, call them back and then.....give them another call. (they're extremely bad at returning calls).;
Go knock on doors if you live around but dont come here on a one way trip with a bunch of cv's.
I cant comment on the chances for non rated turkish pilots but my bet is you have a better shot to get in than non rated expats.
Correct me if I'm wrong
Dangerous??? Not (yet) in my short experience.
Lots of room for improvement???? Absolutely.
Still, in the words of Sun737
to built hours to find a better job its a good deal
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Antalya
Of Course not everybody is dangerous and incompetent. U can find them on both sides.
But Statistically spoken its getting worse. And as I said the A/C Models are so developed that nothing bad happens. I know the guys in sun very well. And believe me a huge number of captains are dangerous. Whats the meaning of dangerous?
They dont know the systems, they dont have good airmanship, no crm, no priorities, no english. The combination of all this plus overconfidence makes a dangerous pilot.
Do u understand what I mean.
But Statistically spoken its getting worse. And as I said the A/C Models are so developed that nothing bad happens. I know the guys in sun very well. And believe me a huge number of captains are dangerous. Whats the meaning of dangerous?
They dont know the systems, they dont have good airmanship, no crm, no priorities, no english. The combination of all this plus overconfidence makes a dangerous pilot.
Do u understand what I mean.
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: I am always home.. home is a suitcase
Bafanguy,
i think you have a chance if you send your stuff through the internet. I know SunExpress has a valid email address. I am not sure if they would take a look at it though.
Try also AtlasJet. I know their website works. As far as I recall you are not typed in A320, but they may prefer someone with experience over someone that doesn't have any experience and any type rating.
Be prepared to a lot of things being different compared to the way the things are run here in States. Just the example you mentioned on your post of how things are run in there.
I also know that Sky airlines is looking for crews and they advertised in Flight International. you may get a chance there.
Once again, expect the unexpected.
I am heading over there in 10 days to try to get in with an airline in the country i was born. The last experience i had , four years ago, was extremely unpleasent.. So, my advice would be, expect the unexpected..
Good luck to us all..
Seattlepilot (aka FlyingtoIST)
i think you have a chance if you send your stuff through the internet. I know SunExpress has a valid email address. I am not sure if they would take a look at it though.
Try also AtlasJet. I know their website works. As far as I recall you are not typed in A320, but they may prefer someone with experience over someone that doesn't have any experience and any type rating.
Be prepared to a lot of things being different compared to the way the things are run here in States. Just the example you mentioned on your post of how things are run in there.
I also know that Sky airlines is looking for crews and they advertised in Flight International. you may get a chance there.
Once again, expect the unexpected.
I am heading over there in 10 days to try to get in with an airline in the country i was born. The last experience i had , four years ago, was extremely unpleasent.. So, my advice would be, expect the unexpected..
Good luck to us all..
Seattlepilot (aka FlyingtoIST)