What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
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Well said Archos - BUT!
Archos - fully agree with everything you say which makes it even more infuriating when the Foamy Coolings' of this World come along and in a manner akin to the Gestapo and SS proceed "on orders" to go out of their way to screw up something that wasn't broken.
Whenever someone says to me "The Company did this" or "The Company did that" - I always ask which person in the "Company" they are referring to. People make changes - not inanimate "Companies"
As a lifelong avoider of Unions, I can't help but feel sometimes that there are occasions when a united voice is the only way to beat this sort of crap. It has worked in the North Sea and it could work here too if not hijacked by the looney PC Brigade.
Trog
Whenever someone says to me "The Company did this" or "The Company did that" - I always ask which person in the "Company" they are referring to. People make changes - not inanimate "Companies"
As a lifelong avoider of Unions, I can't help but feel sometimes that there are occasions when a united voice is the only way to beat this sort of crap. It has worked in the North Sea and it could work here too if not hijacked by the looney PC Brigade.
Trog
Trogs,
I would like to be a fly on the wall when the Union Reps confront the management about a list of grievances!
How quick can you say "Nigerian Jail" in English English?
If one files a legal proceeding against the company....one gets the sack immediately....would it not be the same for going union?
Remember...you are not part of the North Sea business unit nor the North American business unit....both of which are already unionized.
I would like to be a fly on the wall when the Union Reps confront the management about a list of grievances!
How quick can you say "Nigerian Jail" in English English?
If one files a legal proceeding against the company....one gets the sack immediately....would it not be the same for going union?
Remember...you are not part of the North Sea business unit nor the North American business unit....both of which are already unionized.
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Troglodita and archos,
Have to agree with most of what you say. The pay does always go in on time, and though the rise is only on basic salary, the strengthening dollar will provide a useful extra bonus (and the rate is forecast to fall to £1=$1.75 by year's end). Fluctuating currency exchange rates is something one has to learn to live with if one is employed by a foreign company and not paid in one's home currency.
But Trogs, I most have to agree with your comment about not fixing something if it isn't broken. Somebody has made a decision which has upset a lot of people and that I believe will have repercussions further down the line for those of us remaining. However, unlike heliminger, I'll be back even though I'm unhappy about some of the changes in our new pay review - and I'm one of the few who is still in Nigeria for 10 months a year!
There is no such thing as the perfect employer though, like many, I enjoyed most of my time with Schreiner. Alas they are now gone and Bristow, warts and all is still one of the better employers around.
Have to agree with most of what you say. The pay does always go in on time, and though the rise is only on basic salary, the strengthening dollar will provide a useful extra bonus (and the rate is forecast to fall to £1=$1.75 by year's end). Fluctuating currency exchange rates is something one has to learn to live with if one is employed by a foreign company and not paid in one's home currency.
But Trogs, I most have to agree with your comment about not fixing something if it isn't broken. Somebody has made a decision which has upset a lot of people and that I believe will have repercussions further down the line for those of us remaining. However, unlike heliminger, I'll be back even though I'm unhappy about some of the changes in our new pay review - and I'm one of the few who is still in Nigeria for 10 months a year!
There is no such thing as the perfect employer though, like many, I enjoyed most of my time with Schreiner. Alas they are now gone and Bristow, warts and all is still one of the better employers around.
Last edited by soggyboxers; 28th Aug 2008 at 18:24. Reason: addition of data
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Payroll Clerks and the lessons of History!
Fluctuating currency exchange rates is something one has to learn to live with if one is employed by a foreign company and not paid in one's home currency.
Back in the old days in Bristow Kuala Trengannu we used to receive 100% of our salary and allowances paid in Malaysian Ringgit into personal accounts at Standard Chartered Bank (almost always on time)
The Pound Sterling was on a roll and every month we found more and more Malay Dollars waiting for us - wundahfull!
Some Senior Payroll Clerk (HR wasn't yet invented) thought "wait O!" - I can save the Company a few quid here so they fixed the exchange rate at 5.94 Malay to 1 pound even though the extant rate was over 6:1 and rising.
"Your salary is now going to be the same every month so stop whingeing" they told us.
Almost immediately the mighty Pound began plunging and within months was down to 1 Pound equalled less than 4 Malay Dollars.
Scenario -
1000 pounds at 5.94 arrives in Bank = 5940 ringgit
send 4000 ringgit home = 1000 pounds
Proceed to bar with 1940 "free" ringgit
Even more wundahfull!
The present Pound vs. Dollar deal looks set to head the same way albeit on a smaller scale.
Trogs
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Israeli envoy declares Rivers safe just before Israeli Kidnapped
At a reception in Rivers State Government House last Tuesday evening the Israeli envoy made the following speech:
It was on his way home from that dinner that Israeli businessman Ehud Avni was kidnapped 
Now MEND say they know the whereabouts of Mr Avni but have withdrawn a previous offer to help free him until Israel National News (Arutz Sheva) rescinds its description of MEND as a terrorist group and offer an apology in the next publication. MEND say, "If the founding fathers of Israel were not described as terrorists when they fought to liberate their people and bring hope and a future from the concentration camps, then we take very strong objections to that description for fighting to emancipate the Niger Delta from five decades of injustice and neglect".
Whatever the truth behind all this may be, I hope Mr Avni is released unharmed soon.
Rivers is safe - Israeli envoy
Bolaji Ogundele, Port Harcourt - 28.08.2008
THE security situation in Rivers State is not as terrifying as being reported in the media, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Moshe Ram, has said after a two-day stay in the state.
He commended the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, for his focus on improving the economy of the state, saying Israel was interested in partnering with the state on development.
Ram, who was hosted to a dinner at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, likened the security situation in Israel to that of Rivers, saying anyone who relied on media report in judging places could get confused.
He said there was peace in the state, but added that security was one area where the state and his country could collaborate.
“I think Rivers State is taking good care of itself. Just like I said at the dinner, the picture that is being painted in the newspapers about what is happening here is different from what I have experienced in the two days I have been here.
“Of course, there is a possibility of exchanging of views and sharing ideas and since we have someone who is in the security business in our mission, he will make contacts and see how we can help on security network,” he said.
He said his team had talks with the state government and the private sector on areas of business where collaboration could be forged, adding that the visit was a preliminary move on the way forward.
Bolaji Ogundele, Port Harcourt - 28.08.2008
THE security situation in Rivers State is not as terrifying as being reported in the media, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Moshe Ram, has said after a two-day stay in the state.
He commended the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, for his focus on improving the economy of the state, saying Israel was interested in partnering with the state on development.
Ram, who was hosted to a dinner at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, likened the security situation in Israel to that of Rivers, saying anyone who relied on media report in judging places could get confused.
He said there was peace in the state, but added that security was one area where the state and his country could collaborate.
“I think Rivers State is taking good care of itself. Just like I said at the dinner, the picture that is being painted in the newspapers about what is happening here is different from what I have experienced in the two days I have been here.
“Of course, there is a possibility of exchanging of views and sharing ideas and since we have someone who is in the security business in our mission, he will make contacts and see how we can help on security network,” he said.
He said his team had talks with the state government and the private sector on areas of business where collaboration could be forged, adding that the visit was a preliminary move on the way forward.
Now MEND say they know the whereabouts of Mr Avni but have withdrawn a previous offer to help free him until Israel National News (Arutz Sheva) rescinds its description of MEND as a terrorist group and offer an apology in the next publication. MEND say, "If the founding fathers of Israel were not described as terrorists when they fought to liberate their people and bring hope and a future from the concentration camps, then we take very strong objections to that description for fighting to emancipate the Niger Delta from five decades of injustice and neglect".
Whatever the truth behind all this may be, I hope Mr Avni is released unharmed soon.
Air Logistics, a Bristow company, has sold off most of all their small ships, and two hundred pilots are at risk of losing their jobs as a result. The company wishes to retain them and most wish to stay with Air Log.
More than a few are looking towards Nigeria as a way of doing that.
So...ya'll malcontents run on in and drop of your notice papers....and make room for the latest roundup of new faces.
More than a few are looking towards Nigeria as a way of doing that.
So...ya'll malcontents run on in and drop of your notice papers....and make room for the latest roundup of new faces.
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SAS,
That was announced quite a while back and it also announced that many of them are being replaced by new twins. The market in Nigeria for single engine qualified pilots is pretty limited and likely to become more so when the singles in Escravos are also phased out. The other problem for FAA licensed pilots in Nigeria is that the NCAA won't recognise a type rating unless the pilot has done an approved or factory course as there are no type ratings on an FAA licence. Many of the pilots there have only CPLs, which would only qualify them to fly as co-pilots on twins in Nigeria and that possibility is soon likely to be phased out as more national pilots arrive fresh from training in SA and USA. If a pilot hasn't flown a twin before he's also now required to do an MCC rating and a twin upgrade course. Many of the single pilots in the GOM also have no IR, so I don't think it's by any means as simple as you think. When was anything in Nigeria ever easy
That was announced quite a while back and it also announced that many of them are being replaced by new twins. The market in Nigeria for single engine qualified pilots is pretty limited and likely to become more so when the singles in Escravos are also phased out. The other problem for FAA licensed pilots in Nigeria is that the NCAA won't recognise a type rating unless the pilot has done an approved or factory course as there are no type ratings on an FAA licence. Many of the pilots there have only CPLs, which would only qualify them to fly as co-pilots on twins in Nigeria and that possibility is soon likely to be phased out as more national pilots arrive fresh from training in SA and USA. If a pilot hasn't flown a twin before he's also now required to do an MCC rating and a twin upgrade course. Many of the single pilots in the GOM also have no IR, so I don't think it's by any means as simple as you think. When was anything in Nigeria ever easy
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The licensing thingy in this "wonderful" country
Firstly, all this crap is an extortion scheme on the highest level. An FAA license is an ICAO recognized license, AND THAT IS IT. I have applied for a Nigerian license last year and FU.K ALL has been achieved. Furthermore, the guys at National Co.k Addicts Authority should pull their heads out of the rear and start acting as professionals as such. Until then I would suggest they should all take a freakin hike...which of course will not happen. This swamp of corruption and illcontent. PFFFF
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Foamy Coolings
Foamy Coolings aka F.C.?!? By the way the initials are a striking coincidence of that dope sniffer sitting in Lagos who hides behind various emails and never takes responsibilty for anything
Oh, by the way do not paste this onto emails...
Oh, by the way do not paste this onto emails...
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Ransom demand for kidnapped Israeli
Reuters is reporting that an Israeli embassy source in Abuja said that gunmen holding the kidnapped Israeli are demanding $12 million for his release. They have not given a deadline for payment of the ransom.
Nigerian In Law
Foamy Coolings ? Very good !!
The exodus hasn't happened yet. I guess the review, disappointing as it is still keeps Bristow as a better option than ADA or Gulf. Quality of life notwithstanding people still get on the plane and come back.
And pilots love to moan, don't we ??
NEO
The exodus hasn't happened yet. I guess the review, disappointing as it is still keeps Bristow as a better option than ADA or Gulf. Quality of life notwithstanding people still get on the plane and come back.
And pilots love to moan, don't we ??
NEO
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Twins For Escravos..... Yeah right!!
The singles in Escravos will not be replaced by light twins. It was apparently offered to Chevron, who said they were not interested as the singles are doing the job just fine.
No doubt chevron has worked out it is cheaper to pay off the NCA than it is to pay for light twins.
mmmmm wonder what the NCA will do...... take the cash or in force the law mmmm and what is behind window number one.
No doubt chevron has worked out it is cheaper to pay off the NCA than it is to pay for light twins.
mmmmm wonder what the NCA will do...... take the cash or in force the law mmmm and what is behind window number one.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Pilots who complain too much....
I think in these days it is justified...what a fu..in mess this is. That is the reason why I left pooperville for perhaps greener pastures closer to home. I mean the stupid question if there is an ATM available in the swamps around Escravos...that does tell something...
I Try To Be Good !!
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No disrespect intended, but what does a guy on 28/28 flying 120 hours a month who is fed and accommodated need money for apart from ciggies if he smokes ? CLA was never intended for ciggies so I'm a bit confused as to why anyone would neeed an ATM in Escravos.
Like I said, no disrespect. Maybe there is a reason people need money in there.
Like I said, no disrespect. Maybe there is a reason people need money in there.
Nigerian In Law
GMIA,
I see what you mean, but everyone on each operation used that CLA for something. Perhaps not what it was intended for but that was their business. Some just changed it with their colleagues and took it home.
I know it's hard to believe but some people actually bought beer with it. I used mine for charitable causes and world peace. So without it the world is a more dangerous place........
NEO
I see what you mean, but everyone on each operation used that CLA for something. Perhaps not what it was intended for but that was their business. Some just changed it with their colleagues and took it home.
I know it's hard to believe but some people actually bought beer with it. I used mine for charitable causes and world peace. So without it the world is a more dangerous place........
NEO
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Gmia/bmia?
GMIA,
Careful with the CLA wind up!
We are heading right back to the thread discussing whether there is any possibility of a real social life in Nigeria or should we just sit in our rooms whingeing and watching Sport.
I prefer to align myself with NEO and think that my CLA was well spent on deserving charitable causes (and still is so any donations welcome!
)
Trogs
Careful with the CLA wind up!
We are heading right back to the thread discussing whether there is any possibility of a real social life in Nigeria or should we just sit in our rooms whingeing and watching Sport.
I prefer to align myself with NEO and think that my CLA was well spent on deserving charitable causes (and still is so any donations welcome!
)Trogs
I Try To Be Good !!
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Trog,
OK, you're right. I was looking forward to the irate replies, but I agree it's too much of a sore point for everyone.
Western Union works in Eket but neither of the QIT branches do it, you have to get an escort and go into town. I hope that doesn't compromise Bristow's liability insurance as a security breach............
I bet there's an HR Director or Manager somewhere with a really good cop-out for it. Maybe something like "Take us to court, we're bigger than you" as was said to an over-60 guy when he complained about ageism in his contract.
Such a caring culture these days
OK, you're right. I was looking forward to the irate replies, but I agree it's too much of a sore point for everyone.
Western Union works in Eket but neither of the QIT branches do it, you have to get an escort and go into town. I hope that doesn't compromise Bristow's liability insurance as a security breach............
I bet there's an HR Director or Manager somewhere with a really good cop-out for it. Maybe something like "Take us to court, we're bigger than you" as was said to an over-60 guy when he complained about ageism in his contract.
Such a caring culture these days
Join Date: Aug 2008
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GMIA - You do well O!
No disrespect intended, but what does a guy on 28/28 flying 120 hours a month who is fed and accommodated need money for?
This is exactly my advices to the most Senior Managers.
Now the Top Man have also heeded me and as from now Pilots and Mechanical people must pay for any chop they want from the excellent Beila Garden caterers - even the Calabar and Escravos and Warri Staffs who do not get the high rate CLA.
They will say this is unfair but these cry babies must know who is the Oga. The Dog must realise which tail is causing him to wag.
I will pm you with a HR application form.
Please do not place this mail on the notice boards and do not make photocopies or distribute to employees. Just pass on the info to employees - thanks
Join Date: Feb 2005
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MR F.C
Firstly Mr FC
Do you not have any thing better to do in LOG behind your glass door, than use company time and money surfing the net
?? Then you call your staff "dogs"?? What type of manager are you? Or are you one? 
Then I must say, I would not like to work for you even if you had to pay me more than what I am getting now!
They will say this is unfair but these cry babies must know who is the Oga. And You are the Oga??
I would like to know how you would be, if you were not given the extra perks ? And then see who is the cry baby
As it is, I hear of a few Good Pilots heading for greener/whiter grass
Good luck to you As working for a f.C.L.O.W.N, it would be better working els where
To my mates(Pilots) in the mighty B company, keep on buds! You guys still make the company, with out You, there is no company!
CDo you not have any thing better to do in LOG behind your glass door, than use company time and money surfing the net
?? Then you call your staff "dogs"?? What type of manager are you? Or are you one? Then I must say, I would not like to work for you even if you had to pay me more than what I am getting now!
They will say this is unfair but these cry babies must know who is the Oga. And You are the Oga??
I would like to know how you would be, if you were not given the extra perks ? And then see who is the cry baby
As it is, I hear of a few Good Pilots heading for greener/whiter grass
Good luck to you
As working for a f.C.L.O.W.N, it would be better working els where To my mates(Pilots) in the mighty B company, keep on buds!
You guys still make the company, with out You, there is no company!