Safi Airways, Kabul

[flapswho]

Just seen this ad for 767 drivers, based in Kabul

Job Role: First Officer, Senior First Officer
Job Hours: Full-Time
Location: Middle East
Job Position: Permanent
Company: Safi Airways
Salary:
Posted Date: 15 September 2009 12:18:11
Safi Airways urgently requires

B767 First officers

Safi Airways is operating from Afghanistan, UAE and Germany with plans for expansion.


Minimum requirement for FO
500 hrs on B767 and current rating
JAR ATPL or CPL/IR
Based in Kabul. Three weeks on and one week off ex Frankfurt Per month.

Please reply to Prince Antony Human Resources Manager

I've been out of work for 1 year. I'm absolutely desperate and last year Afghanistan is the last place on earth I would apply for a job to. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I'm going to send my CV to this Prince Anthony dude. Are there any 767 Safi drivers out there who can let me know what I'm letting myself in for? I've googled Kabul airport and all I come across is suicide bomb attack after suicide bomb attack
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Suicide bomb hits Afghan airport
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Kabul suicide bomb kills civilian
Man, it sure looks dangerous. Do the crews stay near these suicide bomb attacks? How dangerous is it? What is the security like? What are the terms and conditions? How long is the training bond? Are the pilots dodgy Russians? Is it safe? Do you get combat pay? Any info appreciated.

[Afinehelmet]

Safi 767 T's and C's

Capt $6000 Basic, $300 per duty, $100 per overnight in Kabul

FO $4000 Basic, $200 per duty, $100 per overnight in Kabul

At present the only route operated by the 767 is Kabul - Frankfurt 3 times a week. However the company has just acquired another 767 (300ER I believe) and is planning on a long haul expansion.

Is Kabul safe? No

Question is, how desperate are you and is your life worth more than the above figures.

[Nightfire]

Well, that salary doesn't sound very tempting at all. Not unless you're desperate for a job, for a short while until you've found something better.
I know a guy flying the 737 for Safi; he lives in Dubai and just does some turnarounds in Afghanistan. Salary is bad, company sucks, but it's a living.
I guess that's all there is to it.

[Mr Angry from Purley]

Got a mate down there, few Brits fly from them, some ex Virgin Lagos.

[Afinehelmet]

All Flight Deck crew at Safi are European/North American.

They've also just received a take it or leave it contract offer which amounts to a 45% pay cut for the guys who joined the company late last year. Which means flying into a war zone is now not in any way shape or form compensated in monetary terms.

As and when the market opens up, I'd expect a large number of guys to leave.

[Duh]

Go get some stick time(recency), keep your head down and then get the hell out of there in a month or two.

[highnlow]

I know a guy flying the 737 for Safi; he lives in Dubai and just does some turnarounds in Afghanistan. Salary is bad, company sucks

The pilots are not living in Dubai. If so, they would have a Residence Visa. But I am pretty sure they don't have one. At least they did not a couple of months ago.

Some turnarounds in Afghanistan? I would think the 737 pilots spend at least 15+ nights per month in Kabul. From what can be picked up around the industry, it is more like turnarounds in both ends; hotel in Kabul and hotel in Dubai.

If the 45% paycut is true. The salary is seriously bad for operating in a war zone. This is not a company where people stay throughout their career, to put it mildly. The discription 'company sucks' is an interesting one. I wonder if that comment was written with the management in mind

[cantbeafoolinlove]

Tried their office in Free zone in Dubai today. Seems like a cargo office or something but it was closed. Probably havent openend up yet after Eid Vacation!!!
CBAFIL

[Coto]

Duty payment is per?

Afinehelmet.

Duty pay is per duty day? duty hour?

Thanks

[Afinehelmet]

Coto,

Flight pay is per duty day.

Hope that helps

[Whenwe]

I am flying with Safi next Monday from Dubai to Kabul. First time our company is using them to get to Kabul. (Previously via Peshawar with EK)

I have a 7 hour layover and can anyone give firsthand instructions about my luggage and checking in at Dubai. (Have been referred to the Savi website but it is not quite clear.) Coming off EK and I understnad there is no interline agreement in place with Savi. Our company operates a small fleet out of Kabul.
Comments would be appreciated.

[Afinehelmet]

Collect your bags from the arrivals at terminal 3 when you arrive with EK.

Make your way to terminal 1 (right next door) and check in at the Safi desk for your flight to Kabul. with 7 hours to make the connection you should be ok

[Whenwe]

AFH, thank you for the information.

That sounds like the best option.

[Dubaian]

I understand Safi have recently contracted with the Hyatt Galleria (4 * fully serviced apartments in Deira, Dubai) for 34 Family apartments. Mainly expecting Dutch & German crew and families. Quite a commitment for a small airline. My source also tells me they never overnight in Kabul.

[169west]

It looks like they need only FA! Any other news?

Welcome to Safi Airways - Flights from and to Afghanistan!

[Dubaian]

BeeBop - my source for the rental of the serviced apartments was the GM of the Hyatt. Can't see why they'd want 34 of them if they'd up'd sticks and moved to Kabul?
Same guy said that they never (intentionally) overnight an aircraft there.

Maybe someone can confirm where they run the show from now ?

[homesick rae]

Contract with the Galleria could well be due to the fact that the recent advisor to the Chairman at SAFI (ex SIA/EK) himself stayed in there and may therefore be an influence? It is much better than what they were offering before!

I believe HQ is still DXB - certainly a few weeks ago.

Cheers

HR

[homesick rae]

Quite right BeeBop - although all of their scheduling, management etc in DXB

[Soap Box Cowboy]

Anyone know where the ATR crew overnight?

[Mr Angry from Purley]

Brit friend of mine 767 Captain with Safi currently sick broken foot, shrapnel wounds, 4 hour fire fight between Hotel security and Terry taliban.

Good excuse to be sick i suppose.