Fokker 50 contract in Africa
 

Hi,

Anybody with experience in Denim air on contract in Africa/Nigeria on Fokker 50? I am thinking about external conditions such a safety (on and off job) taxes and similar:confused:

I have full documentation about pay, rooster and so on so I am seeking information besides this...

Br.

Thx for posting this. It certainly made my choice easier!

Balance
 

Hi Mrmoeller,

I have been working for Denim for halve a decade and somehow I have never had the problems JA841B indicates. I do happen to know the person and he has been very negative regarding all sorts of thing with the company, during his employment.

Now I am not going to tell you that Denim is the best thing that ever happened to aviation: cause it isn't. But I don't want you to base your opinion on an extreme view. I have been to Nigeria several times and although it is far from my favorite place on earth, I will go there again without hesitation when Denim asks me to do so. It is not a safe country, but all reasonable measures that can be taken are taken. There have been more people that have requested not to go to Nigeria due to Malarone side affects and they are not send by Denim anymore. I am a Captain DHC8 and the Nigeria slots for CPTs DHC8 are all taken. Meaning that, if I want to go to Nigeria I would have to "bid".

Denim is a decent company to work for. You are expected to fly, to be flexible and to work hard. In my view: If you have a problem and you approach Denim with it they WILL try to help you, if you have proven yourself. They are however NOT willing to help the person too much who always has problems restricting him/her from flying.

I suggest you also post your question on airwork.nl as more Denim pilots seem to visit that website. Maybe that way you get a more balanced view on which to base your decision.

Greetz,

G

Thx for the balance Going Down.

I am currently on a firm contract and I do not have to many things to complain about. Certainly not for an open forum anyway.

The rooster and certainly the pay for the "Nigerian Adventure" sounds quite attracting but one of my worries are of course beeing unemployed after the contract ends...

Again thx for posting.

Stay away from Denim! Please take my advise i can not tell to much i dont want any more hassle with them but PLEASE stay away there!!!!!!!!!

I haven't flown in Nigeria, and I never had anything to do with Denim.
But I did fly quite a lot in other African countries before I got my first 737-job in Europe.

First of all, let me tell you that I love Africa a lot! It has many beautiful places, and it is certainly possible to lead a cool life there. If you are young, single, seeking adventure and experience, then by all means go for it. Just remember that you always need a good sense of humour and strong survior instincts. :}
Things in Africa are different than anywhere else, therefore you also need an open mind, and a good deal of patience. :E

BUT!!
Forget Nigeria! I know the country from several other visits than from flying, and have been to Lagos many times. A friend of mine travels there on business quite regularly, too, and can confirm my experience. As can a colleague who is ex-Arik.

The place is a :mad: mess! You can't move around outside the hotel without bodyguards. Nigeria has the highest corruption-rate in Africa (which really means something), so if you ever get into problems of any kind, may heaven help you, because nobody else can.
You have a high chance of getting killed, robbed, catching disease, or just simply getting depressed and frustrated as time goes by.
You will certainly have your things stolen from you in the hotel, and you will definitely be bullied around by authorities and your boss, without having any rights whatsoever.
You might get your salary, or you might not.
And you will be dealing with an incopetence everywhere, that drives you nuts.

I'm not joking, and I'd take the advice of JA841B.

If you want to fly around as a bush-pilot, then choose something else. Leave Nigeria to the mercenaries, the desperate, and the locals.
A couple of hundred hours F50-time in Africa on your CV will get you nowhere, either.

I read an article in a magazine once, which was written by a development-aid manager, and had an interesting title: "Lagos is the oozing pimple in the sweaty armpit of Africa". :rolleyes: