Mea

[HYA]

Does anyone know where MEA gets thier pilots from? Are they all local Lebanese pilots? Military or civilian? Does anyone know if they will be hiring in the near future?

Thanks for your help
HYA

[4HolerPoler]

MEA pilots are all, traditionally Lebanese and you would generally require a personal reccomendation from within to be considered for a position.

I heard a JMC 330 operating a MEA flight yesterday - the poor chap was having a hard time on the radio:

"JMC........errCedarJet"

Anyone know how long that wet-lease is on for?

4HP

[newswatcher]

Funnily enough, in the UAE "Gulf News" today(21/2):

"Banking on an ongoing restructuring plan and expected profitability, Lebanese flag carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA) will complete a scheduled delivery of five of six new Airbus A321s this year. The carrier took delivery of its first A321 on Tuesday, said Airbus official sources.

The new aircraft will replace MEA's leased Airbus fleet which was operated by the carrier after the conclusion of the Lebanese civil war.

MEA's A321s feature luxurious seating for 31 passengers in business class and 118 in economy, with personal television screens for everyone.

Its A321s are powered by V2533 engines from International Aero Engines (IAE), featuring a quietness that meets tough new stage 4 noise standards.

"MEA's current healthy financial situation and fleet modernisation are the results of collective and combined efforts from the airline's management and staff, as well as Lebanon's Central Bank and the Govern-ment's Transport Ministry," said Lebanese Minister of Transport Najib Mikati, while taking delivery of the aircraft in Toulouse, France, on Tuesday.

As of September 30 last year, Airbus received orders worth $1.5 billion from the Middle East including two A320s and one A330 for Qatar Airways, two A340s for Royal Jordanian, two A330s for Emirates and three A330s and the six A321s for Middle East Airlines (MEA), two A330s for Emirates, earlier announced Airbus officials."

[HYA]

Hey guys thanks for the response.
What about license conversion? I hold a valid canadian CPL/multi IFR. What type of license (rules) do they use in Lebanon?
Does anyone know what MEA's min requirements are? and Do you have to do the "basic Libanese military" training to obtain a job?

thanks

[ODGUY]

MEA has currently got over 110 crew and a total of 9 aircraft. MEA has a cap on the size of their fleet, which is 9. They havent hired in over 8 years. To get in you must be a Lebanese citizen, hold Lebanese Comm/IR, have many internal references along with political backing. I also should note there is a capita per religion (i.e. equal number from each group).

[HYA]

I am a lebanese citzen too. I'd like to go to Lebanon and check out the operation in person. I emailed a few people in the company but didn't get a response. It just seems impossible to talk to anyone.

Does anyone here work for MEA?

Thanks for the info

[CedarBus]

MEA has not hired since 1993, when it took a class of 9 cadets.
Traditionally MEA relies on its Cadet Pilot Scheme, but there are rumors that they might hire direct entry pilots next time.
Currently there are no written requirements for any direct entry/cadet pilot scheme at MEA.
With an aging pilot core MEA will have to hire pilots within a year or so as a lot of its pilots will retire in the next 7 years. First Officers getting command upgrades are presently close to 50 yrs of age!!
As for political backing/religion/sectarian limitations they are all over exaggerated.
The Lebanese Air Force has no planes and only flies a few helicopters. MEA has not taken military pilots since the 70s.
All candidates for future positions at MEA must have completed their military service, or be exempt from it.
Hope info was useful!

[concordino]

Odguy and Cedarbus,

do any of you guys work for MEA ?

Who would be the person to contact at MEA and speak to about hiring etc....

Heard a while ago that MEA and Syrian Air may merge, it that likely and what would be it's possible impact on crew composition.

Thanks

[newswatcher]

Concordino,

Try an email:

Human Resources Department
Head of Human Resources - [email protected]
Head of Personnel - [email protected]
Training - [email protected]

[concordino]

thanks newswatcher,

i emailed Capt. Usama Balaa before based on i think Cedarjet's suggestion but got no reply.

It will be a long way before i pay BEY a visit but will all the process one has to go through i wonder if i should proceed under the current circumstances

[ODGUY]

I do not work for MEA. Political backing is a must. With all the red tape there, it takes years to process anything. As for emails, good luck with a reply.

I also heard that they will take direct entry pilots, rather then the outdated cadet system.

Put it this way, you send ur resume and make a few phone calls, don't expect a reply. Go there in person, get some high ranking officials to make a few phone calls for you. Sad enough, thats how the lebanese system works.

As for the airforce, we have around 30 hueys, and a few hawker hunters that collect dust in riyyak AFB.

as for MEA and syrian air merging that will never happen. The talks were of a shared airline between the two countries, other then syrian air and MEA. That never happened. It was supposed to be an air taxi that shuttles back and forth to damascus. its much easier and faster to drive to damascus, considering the airspace. We had an airway linking BEY-DAM direct which was to the west-southwest from BEY. Due to the war, that airway was closed, and yet remains. To get to DAM from BEY you must fly to Chekka-Lebor, then proceed south to DAM.

note: correction to the airway, it was to the east-souteast... brain fart.

[CedarBus]

I know this is a Rumour network but ODGUY is spilling rumours left and right
For any info or just to keep a CV on record you can send it to Capt Usama Balaa/ Head Technical at [email protected]
During a briefing last week at a carreer seminar MEA confirmed its intent to maintain a Cadet Pilot Scheme in the long run. ODGUY might think it's outdated because he lives in CANADA where cadet schemes don't exist and direct entry is the norm.
BUT MEA might still consider Direct entry F/O's in the interim.
As for the airway to Syria, it is going to be re-opened soon, with planes overflying the Bekaa valley.
Ma tez3al bass khaffif shway hal ishe3at!

[ODGUY]

I know this is a Rumour network but ODGUY is spilling rumours left and right
For any info or just to keep a CV on record you can send it to Capt Usama Balaa/ Head Technical at [email protected]
During a briefing last week at a carreer seminar MEA confirmed its intent to maintain a Cadet Pilot Scheme in the long run. ODGUY might think it's outdated because he lives in CANADA where cadet schemes don't exist and direct entry is the norm.
BUT MEA might still consider Direct entry F/O's in the interim.
As for the airway to Syria, it is going to be re-opened soon, with planes overflying the Bekaa valley.
Ma tez3al bass khaffif shway hal ishe3at!

CEDARBUS: i could not find the reasoning why you said i was spilling rumors. What we say is not confirmed, and comes from word of mouth, hence, appropriatly named Rumor Network. To my dismay, i was not invited to attend the career seminar, therefore not obtaining the information concerning the Cadet Pilot Scheme. I clearly stated that i Heared what You mentioned about the Cadet program. A crew of MEA told me this many years ago when i had just started my pilot training. I am entitled to my own opinion about the program, stating my opinion does not translate to me spilling rumors. I gave some information about the airway, it is accurate information. I am glad to hear that the airway will re-open soon, this will facilitate BEY-DAM flights, as well as the heavy trafic from the west that is heading to the middle east, they can have both airways (north and south) open and handle more traffic with better spacing.

spilling rumors ...

[concordino]

I do sure hope they will look at D/E first officers in the future, I think there are few Lebanese pilots from all over the world holding good licenses and experience.

Regarding the traditional cadets scheme, does anyone know where the cadets have been sent for their training?

France maybe ?

[CedarBus]

No prob ODGUY
Talking of airways a lot of airways in the region are closing this morning in anticipation of war in Iraq.
I'll post it here once/whenever MEA decides to hire again.