New Virgin Route - Brave or reckless?
Paxing All Over The World
T E,
I think you will find that your boss is right about mobile phones in USA. They do not all have mobiles! They mostly have pagers. There is a very different culture in mobile comms between the USA and Europe/Asia, the back ground to which I shall not trouble you with, unless you request it.
Allow me just to say that I have been in telecommunications for 22 years and have been involved with mobile comms since 1983.
I think you will find that your boss is right about mobile phones in USA. They do not all have mobiles! They mostly have pagers. There is a very different culture in mobile comms between the USA and Europe/Asia, the back ground to which I shall not trouble you with, unless you request it.
Allow me just to say that I have been in telecommunications for 22 years and have been involved with mobile comms since 1983.
Join Date: Dec 2000
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Good luck to the VS crews when they start this route!
Granted, the flight time may be relatively short , but that 6 hours onboard is pretty hellish in the cabin - it takes alot to get used to the apparent arrogance that is directed at You.
The first time I went to Lagos, I was horrified to see an armed guard riding on the outside of the crew bus.
As mentioned before , there is always the threat of kidnap, and i believe over the years this has happened on at least 2 occasions,with crew being held captive in the mountains.
Finally, and importantly,the threat of malaria is ever present in Nigeria, again, I believe since the 767 started operating to Entebbe/Abuja in the last year ,at least 3-5 flight crew have succumbed to this deadly disease <some cerebral> ,and with very few crew taking medication <due to side effects>
,the chances remain high if you choose to ignore this health advice.
The bar is O-K in the Sheraton ,and to most crew is the only consolation for much needed drinks after arrival !!!
Try and enjoy - just take great care.
Granted, the flight time may be relatively short , but that 6 hours onboard is pretty hellish in the cabin - it takes alot to get used to the apparent arrogance that is directed at You.
The first time I went to Lagos, I was horrified to see an armed guard riding on the outside of the crew bus.
As mentioned before , there is always the threat of kidnap, and i believe over the years this has happened on at least 2 occasions,with crew being held captive in the mountains.
Finally, and importantly,the threat of malaria is ever present in Nigeria, again, I believe since the 767 started operating to Entebbe/Abuja in the last year ,at least 3-5 flight crew have succumbed to this deadly disease <some cerebral> ,and with very few crew taking medication <due to side effects>
,the chances remain high if you choose to ignore this health advice.
The bar is O-K in the Sheraton ,and to most crew is the only consolation for much needed drinks after arrival !!!
Try and enjoy - just take great care.
What mountains would they be then? I hardly think they would take people up to Jos/Abuja area from Lagos.
Most of the kidnappings you will have heard of happened in the Delta area (PH and Warri) and concerned personnel involved in the oil industry.
I think the horror at the armed guard is rather melodramatic; LHR and LGW are full of policemen wandering around with sub-machine guns.
Most of the kidnappings you will have heard of happened in the Delta area (PH and Warri) and concerned personnel involved in the oil industry.
I think the horror at the armed guard is rather melodramatic; LHR and LGW are full of policemen wandering around with sub-machine guns.
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I was in Lagos for the VS inaugural flight.
On the whole the experience was far better than I was expecting. The Sheraton is not to bad as long as you are not expecting 5 star treatment. The bar and resturants are ok - you may not always get what you order but that's also part of the experience.
Given the VS schedule early morning arrival and departure, crews will not have the time to go walk about but, if you do want to get out the hotel can arrange this, just let them know your destination are time you are due to return - they will provide a driver and vehicle.
Crew transport is by escorted bus to and from the airport/Sheraton and, according to the staff from other airlines I have spoken to they feel quite safe.
I took a day wandering around the airport and had no problems at all, the airport staff are very friendly and helpful.
There is a great deal of work going on to modernise the gate areas and bring them into line with european airports.
On the whole it is not as bad as those who have not visited would have us believe, also the Lagos Airport documentary programme screened on TV presents a somewhat false image, the Airport has changed considerably since the making of the programme.
Cheers
LITOW
On the whole the experience was far better than I was expecting. The Sheraton is not to bad as long as you are not expecting 5 star treatment. The bar and resturants are ok - you may not always get what you order but that's also part of the experience.
Given the VS schedule early morning arrival and departure, crews will not have the time to go walk about but, if you do want to get out the hotel can arrange this, just let them know your destination are time you are due to return - they will provide a driver and vehicle.
Crew transport is by escorted bus to and from the airport/Sheraton and, according to the staff from other airlines I have spoken to they feel quite safe.
I took a day wandering around the airport and had no problems at all, the airport staff are very friendly and helpful.
There is a great deal of work going on to modernise the gate areas and bring them into line with european airports.
On the whole it is not as bad as those who have not visited would have us believe, also the Lagos Airport documentary programme screened on TV presents a somewhat false image, the Airport has changed considerably since the making of the programme.
Cheers
LITOW
Join Date: Jun 2001
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FCO(UK) advice dated 29/06/2001:
"Most visits to Nigeria are trouble-free but visitors should be aware that violent crime is prevalent in Lagos and elsewhere in the south of the country.
Disturbances occurred between Saturday 23 and Wednesday 27 June, in Nassarawa State, resulting in a number of deaths. The situation is changing rapidly and we advise those intending to visit Nassarawa or travel on the Akwanga-Makurdi road to contact the British High Commission in Abuja before setting out. British nationals in Nassarawa State should exercise caution and avoid large crowds.
Violent street crimes, armed robberies, muggings and car jackings are prevalent in Lagos and elsewhere in the south of the country. These are often committed by ordinary criminals. There has recently been an increase in attacks on British nationals, expatriates and Nigerians on the Islands of Victoria and Ikoyi in Lagos. There has also been an increase in car-jacking, particularly in the Lagos regions. Top of the range 4 x 4 vehicles are especially vulnerable.
All visitors should arrange to be met on arrival at Lagos Airport by someone who is known to them or who properly identifies themselves (bogus greeters are a problem). This will ensure safe transport of themselves.
Certain parts of the country have experienced localised civil unrest and violence. The causes and locations of any unrest vary. Outbreaks have occurred in Lagos (Mainland and Lagos Island). South eastern Nigeria, the Delta region, Anambra, Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe and Nassarawa (Central Nigeria) where we advise travellers intending to use the Akwanga-Makurdi road to contact the British High Commission, Abuja. Demonstrations for or against Sharia law may occur in northern states and can become violent without warning. There have also been demonstrations about the situation in the Middle East. British nationals are not specifically targeted. However, they and their vehicles may become caught up in a demonstration or disturbance.
There have been attacks of piracy/armed robbery against ships at anchor in Nigerian waters and at many of the waters and at many of the harbours in the Niger-Delta area. Mariners are advised to take appropriate precautions.
Visitors should be aware of frequency of hostage taking for ransom in Delta, River and Bayelsa States. More than a dozen British nationals were kidnapped last year. All were released unharmed, but there is no guarantee of peaceful resolutions in any future incidents. All are taken hostage due to local community problems. Although we do not advise against travel to the region, all visitors should be vigilant at all times. All resident British nationals should follow their employers’ local security guidelines. Others should seek local advice about travel and should make sure that local hosts/family know their travel plans and timings."
And an extract from the US Govt site - http://travel.state.gov/nigeria.html
consulate employees travel in armored vehicles between the islands and Murtala Mohammed International Airport. When traveling to the airport at night, Consulate employees are accompanied by a second vehicle carrying a police officer.
[ 10 July 2001: Message edited by: newswatcher ]
"Most visits to Nigeria are trouble-free but visitors should be aware that violent crime is prevalent in Lagos and elsewhere in the south of the country.
Disturbances occurred between Saturday 23 and Wednesday 27 June, in Nassarawa State, resulting in a number of deaths. The situation is changing rapidly and we advise those intending to visit Nassarawa or travel on the Akwanga-Makurdi road to contact the British High Commission in Abuja before setting out. British nationals in Nassarawa State should exercise caution and avoid large crowds.
Violent street crimes, armed robberies, muggings and car jackings are prevalent in Lagos and elsewhere in the south of the country. These are often committed by ordinary criminals. There has recently been an increase in attacks on British nationals, expatriates and Nigerians on the Islands of Victoria and Ikoyi in Lagos. There has also been an increase in car-jacking, particularly in the Lagos regions. Top of the range 4 x 4 vehicles are especially vulnerable.
All visitors should arrange to be met on arrival at Lagos Airport by someone who is known to them or who properly identifies themselves (bogus greeters are a problem). This will ensure safe transport of themselves.
Certain parts of the country have experienced localised civil unrest and violence. The causes and locations of any unrest vary. Outbreaks have occurred in Lagos (Mainland and Lagos Island). South eastern Nigeria, the Delta region, Anambra, Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe and Nassarawa (Central Nigeria) where we advise travellers intending to use the Akwanga-Makurdi road to contact the British High Commission, Abuja. Demonstrations for or against Sharia law may occur in northern states and can become violent without warning. There have also been demonstrations about the situation in the Middle East. British nationals are not specifically targeted. However, they and their vehicles may become caught up in a demonstration or disturbance.
There have been attacks of piracy/armed robbery against ships at anchor in Nigerian waters and at many of the waters and at many of the harbours in the Niger-Delta area. Mariners are advised to take appropriate precautions.
Visitors should be aware of frequency of hostage taking for ransom in Delta, River and Bayelsa States. More than a dozen British nationals were kidnapped last year. All were released unharmed, but there is no guarantee of peaceful resolutions in any future incidents. All are taken hostage due to local community problems. Although we do not advise against travel to the region, all visitors should be vigilant at all times. All resident British nationals should follow their employers’ local security guidelines. Others should seek local advice about travel and should make sure that local hosts/family know their travel plans and timings."
And an extract from the US Govt site - http://travel.state.gov/nigeria.html
consulate employees travel in armored vehicles between the islands and Murtala Mohammed International Airport. When traveling to the airport at night, Consulate employees are accompanied by a second vehicle carrying a police officer.
[ 10 July 2001: Message edited by: newswatcher ]
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It looks like Kabo Air will be the second Nigerian carrier designated on the London route. As well as a couple of ex BA 747-100s bought last year, they have just taken delivery of two ex Virgin -200s 5N-PPP (ex G-VLAX) and 5N-PDP (ex G-VJFK).
Their new colour scheme is remarkably nice as well!
Their new colour scheme is remarkably nice as well!
DVP,
I'm an FO on the Jurrassic and whilst I'm not going to bid for LOS I'm not crying about it. Sussex... lists all the same good points that 2 x BA CSDs (female) told me recently. As in the RAF a good push is not where you are but who you're with. The hotel sounds nice, the pizzaria in it is great and we're all stuck by the pool with nowhere to go and loads to drink for 48 hours. Bring a bottle mate.....
I'm an FO on the Jurrassic and whilst I'm not going to bid for LOS I'm not crying about it. Sussex... lists all the same good points that 2 x BA CSDs (female) told me recently. As in the RAF a good push is not where you are but who you're with. The hotel sounds nice, the pizzaria in it is great and we're all stuck by the pool with nowhere to go and loads to drink for 48 hours. Bring a bottle mate.....
