Air Astana and Direct Personnel???
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Join Date: Oct 2000
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Air Astana and Direct Personnel???
Hello guys and girls.
Just wanted to know if anybody here has worked for Air Astana or has infomation on Kazakstan. What would be a better place to be based at, Almaty or Astana? What is the condition off the hotel they put you up in? Are Direct Personnel a good company when it comes payments, on time etc?Also what is life like in this place, nitelife ,food etc?? All your help is greatly appreciated?
Just wanted to know if anybody here has worked for Air Astana or has infomation on Kazakstan. What would be a better place to be based at, Almaty or Astana? What is the condition off the hotel they put you up in? Are Direct Personnel a good company when it comes payments, on time etc?Also what is life like in this place, nitelife ,food etc?? All your help is greatly appreciated?
Join Date: May 2008
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Be very careful, the company has financial problems at present and ambitious expansion plans have recently been re-evaluated. Latest news on recruitment is that 9 Boeing 757/767 pilot contracts are being cancelled from July 1st and any Airbus pilots over 60 (not many but all part of the belt-tightening measures here!) will also go. Staff bonuses (local staff only) were recently slashed because of the problems. But Kazakhstan itself is well worth visiting, highly recommended, especially if you can get out into the mountains around Almaty.
DPI seem to be pretty good to me so far, no complaints at all!
DPI seem to be pretty good to me so far, no complaints at all!
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Although not a pilot, I had the pleasure of working with Air Astana and living in Almaty for some time. Whilst Almaty may not be a Singapore, Hong Kong or Paris, it has many charms and can be a fun place be. Maybe it retains some of the 'old Soviet-style' architecture, styles and 'habits', but it has plenty to offer in terms of good bars, restaurants, skiing etc. - and it is obviously changing and developing rapidly! (Astana, at least in my opinion, as a relatively new capital city, is too much steel, glass and concrete and too little 'soul'. Most Astanites (?) tend to gravitate to Almaty for the weekends!).
The Kazakh people, certainly the people of Air Astana, are also a pleasure to work with; kind and helpful at all levels. Like any other company, nothing is perfect - but are we ourselves? Air Astana is suffering from the same pressures as most other airlines during these difficult times and will have to manage through this uncertain period as best it can. If you go, try to learn a few words of Kazakh or Russian - it's not difficult and goes a long way towards improving the understanding and perceptions.
Unlike most 'expats' (no offense intended!) try the local transport if you ever get stuck! Mini-buses, trams and 'trolleys' ply the streets, seem to serve every possible destination in and around Almaty, run every few minutes and cost pennies (or cents) wherever you wish to go - including the airport. But not late at night! Or just flag down a private 'taxi' - private cars will almost always be happy to stop and give you a lift for a few 'tenge'.
Like anything in life, what you put into something will influence what you expect to get out. Kazakhstan (and maybe Air Astana) may not be quite like the Emirates (EK, EY, QR etc.) or China (CX, JADE etc.) - but if you want one person's endorsement - go for it with an open and positive mind and you could be pleasantly surprised.
The Kazakh people, certainly the people of Air Astana, are also a pleasure to work with; kind and helpful at all levels. Like any other company, nothing is perfect - but are we ourselves? Air Astana is suffering from the same pressures as most other airlines during these difficult times and will have to manage through this uncertain period as best it can. If you go, try to learn a few words of Kazakh or Russian - it's not difficult and goes a long way towards improving the understanding and perceptions.
Unlike most 'expats' (no offense intended!) try the local transport if you ever get stuck! Mini-buses, trams and 'trolleys' ply the streets, seem to serve every possible destination in and around Almaty, run every few minutes and cost pennies (or cents) wherever you wish to go - including the airport. But not late at night! Or just flag down a private 'taxi' - private cars will almost always be happy to stop and give you a lift for a few 'tenge'.
Like anything in life, what you put into something will influence what you expect to get out. Kazakhstan (and maybe Air Astana) may not be quite like the Emirates (EK, EY, QR etc.) or China (CX, JADE etc.) - but if you want one person's endorsement - go for it with an open and positive mind and you could be pleasantly surprised.
Join Date: May 2008
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Airbus Rider - what is your problem. Where are you getting this crap about financial difficulties from. You don't work for KC, so don't spout about something you don't know anything about. Just because you have a friend who alledgedly flies for us, doesn't mean you are an authority to put such words about our company on an open forum.
9 pilots who were on "short-term" contracts have been released, and I think it is one pilot from the Airbus fleet who has been released as he is near retirement. It was his choice, not a forced repatriation.
Lets see, stock exchange value for KC, $600m, with 6 more Airbus just signed for. Hmm, 3 B787 signed for. 1 delivered last week, 2 more coming shortly ( after they go back into paint shop for mods on logo). All boeing fleet to have winglets, LOI signed for B767 mods. MOU and LOI signed for CRJ evaluations. Oh, and the ink-fresh signature with Airbus for another 6 aircraft.
Soho club, Esperanza, Line brew, Guiness Bar, Uni Bar, Petroleum club to name but a very select few nite life opportunities. People fantastic, a little language goes a very long way here.
Borat film worked wonders for putting KZ on the map, I agree with the previous pundits about its true meaning....
No, Kc isn't Ek or any of those other high flyers, we are a good solid "family" airline, lots of fun, great life, but always expects hard work in return. I don't mind putting in the hard work, it always pays off in the end.
9 pilots who were on "short-term" contracts have been released, and I think it is one pilot from the Airbus fleet who has been released as he is near retirement. It was his choice, not a forced repatriation.
Lets see, stock exchange value for KC, $600m, with 6 more Airbus just signed for. Hmm, 3 B787 signed for. 1 delivered last week, 2 more coming shortly ( after they go back into paint shop for mods on logo). All boeing fleet to have winglets, LOI signed for B767 mods. MOU and LOI signed for CRJ evaluations. Oh, and the ink-fresh signature with Airbus for another 6 aircraft.
Soho club, Esperanza, Line brew, Guiness Bar, Uni Bar, Petroleum club to name but a very select few nite life opportunities. People fantastic, a little language goes a very long way here.
Borat film worked wonders for putting KZ on the map, I agree with the previous pundits about its true meaning....
No, Kc isn't Ek or any of those other high flyers, we are a good solid "family" airline, lots of fun, great life, but always expects hard work in return. I don't mind putting in the hard work, it always pays off in the end.
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"Hmm, 3 B787 signed for. 1 delivered last week, 2 more coming shortly ( after they go back into paint shop for mods on logo)."
Maybe 757 or 767 certainly not 787!
Maybe 757 or 767 certainly not 787!
Join Date: May 2008
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UM - I think you mean A320 / A319 being delivered this year! 787s are a good few years in the future, as are the six Airbuses you mention. These are long term expansion plans, I am talking about (hopefully) short term financial difficulties. Caused in part by high oil prices of course, but also by other, managerial and commercial shortcomings. And where does this information come from? Check the company intranet and the e-mail sent to all staff in April, I guess you had a copy? Perhaps also the minutes of the Management meetings, held weekly, do you want to see them? But enough of this, let me address the other issues, life in Almaty!
My experience is that Almaty has an excellent nightlife, good restaurants and many other entertainments, but is not a good place to bring your wife and family. The language barrier and lifestyle would be a big problem. But if single and unaccompanied you can have a great time, the Kazakh and Russian people I find very friendly, particularly in Air Astana, and, like all CIS countries the women substantially outnumber the men.
So come with an open mind and enjoy.
My experience is that Almaty has an excellent nightlife, good restaurants and many other entertainments, but is not a good place to bring your wife and family. The language barrier and lifestyle would be a big problem. But if single and unaccompanied you can have a great time, the Kazakh and Russian people I find very friendly, particularly in Air Astana, and, like all CIS countries the women substantially outnumber the men.
So come with an open mind and enjoy.
