Anyone at VAL currently, who would like to shed some light on the conditions. By the look of the recent ad they're upping the pay, but what are the working conditions like?
What kind of days are you working overseas?
Are you on call or is it schedueled?
Are the living conditions decent by Canadian standards or 3rd world standards?
Are they decent about you wanting to head home after your rotation, or would they give you greif if they needed you to stay, but you don't want to?
Please NO JOKERS! I'm considering them and would like to know
Current VAL conditions?
Moderators: North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako
VAL
You have to decide for yourself.
Read some of the past forums and pay attention to the underlying tones.
They are loosing a lot of people and are currently rewriting policy to force travel on others within. So they will probably be loosing more very soon.
They can be a good company to work for if they hear what they want, which is never the word NO! and will try bullying tactics (subtle as they may be) to get you to say yes.
If you get an interview (which would be highly likly) make sure you come prepared with your own questions and anything they say GET IT IN WRITING before you say yes to any offer.
If you are already contract, stick it out with them, you'll be better off in the long run. If you are already employed, don't bite, the grass is not greener on the other side of this fence. Although they can dish out enough B.S. to fertilize the deserts that they are currently working in.
Read some of the past forums and pay attention to the underlying tones.
They are loosing a lot of people and are currently rewriting policy to force travel on others within. So they will probably be loosing more very soon.
They can be a good company to work for if they hear what they want, which is never the word NO! and will try bullying tactics (subtle as they may be) to get you to say yes.
If you get an interview (which would be highly likly) make sure you come prepared with your own questions and anything they say GET IT IN WRITING before you say yes to any offer.
If you are already contract, stick it out with them, you'll be better off in the long run. If you are already employed, don't bite, the grass is not greener on the other side of this fence. Although they can dish out enough B.S. to fertilize the deserts that they are currently working in.
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motionsickness69
- Rank 0
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 6:15 am
I'm interested in knowing how a captain for instance making $55,000 basic, can end up with an annual of $136,000 + per diem. OK, that's probably for senior guys, maybe management. But hey, even 100,000 + per diem sounds ok...but still my calculation does not bring me near that.
ms69, go on their website click on careers, and should find what their min. requirements are.
ms69, go on their website click on careers, and should find what their min. requirements are.
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Cat Driver
- Top Poster
- Posts: 18921
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:31 pm
Generally they will be on par or below Canadian standards as found in Shamattawa or most other Indian reserves.Are the living conditions decent by Canadian standards or 3rd world standards?
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
VAL Working
The pay can go over 100,000 if you work 9 months in Africa and 3 off (as a Capt.). Include in this per diem and DSA if it is paid. Some bases have a DSA some do not. Living conditions are as good as you would get in crew housing with most northern operators at the worst. Some bases the housing is better than I get at home.
Anyone seriously interested PM me.
Anyone seriously interested PM me.
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saucer_driver
- Rank 2
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:43 pm
- Location: far far away
If your seriously interested, and have other job possibilties, I would really question the bond bit. I understand that they require you to pay the interest, and they will not pay you back said amount. This is retarded, and I would not pay to work for a company, no matter how much/little.
That bond was created back in my days there because of guys leaving for jobs closer to home right after getting their PPC's.
But given the market, experienced pilots are not as easy to come by. Maybe some of you can make a change for the better, just try to stay the 1 year as discussed and not make a latteral move. If a major calls, few could fault you, but latteral moves are not cool especially when you've given an employeer your word.
That bond was created back in my days there because of guys leaving for jobs closer to home right after getting their PPC's.
But given the market, experienced pilots are not as easy to come by. Maybe some of you can make a change for the better, just try to stay the 1 year as discussed and not make a latteral move. If a major calls, few could fault you, but latteral moves are not cool especially when you've given an employeer your word.
The feet you step on today might be attached to the ass you're kissing tomorrow.
Chase lifestyle not metal.
Chase lifestyle not metal.
I have worked for VAL for more than a year as a captain on the DCH8 in Africa for the UN. It's a good short term job. Working in Africa is a unique experience. It's a totally different world and I consider myself very lucky that the life made me go there.
Financially, in a year, I have put aside more than 50K$ including my 11K$ tax return. I gave a 15K$ training bond and after a year they gave it back to me with the interest.
Africa is not a very safe continent but I don't care. I do what I want and that include taking risk if I have to.
VAL is fare from being a perfect company and you don't want to work there for very long, but I used them and they used me... end of story. I am now flying an Airbus in Canada.
People are always complaining (including in this forum). I try not to. We live in a very rich country and it's very usefull to see the rest of the world just to know how lucky we are.
(notice: my mother tongue language is french, sorry for my writing)
Financially, in a year, I have put aside more than 50K$ including my 11K$ tax return. I gave a 15K$ training bond and after a year they gave it back to me with the interest.
Africa is not a very safe continent but I don't care. I do what I want and that include taking risk if I have to.
VAL is fare from being a perfect company and you don't want to work there for very long, but I used them and they used me... end of story. I am now flying an Airbus in Canada.
People are always complaining (including in this forum). I try not to. We live in a very rich country and it's very usefull to see the rest of the world just to know how lucky we are.
(notice: my mother tongue language is french, sorry for my writing)
VAL AFRICA
I can second Camp feeling. They have been ok to me , not Air canada but certainly on a par with many other Canadian operators. The maintenance is better than anywhere I have worked. Yes Africa is not as safe as for example Calgary or Toronto. I haven't been hassled or caused any trouble and I have been in the Congo DR of, where there is still fighting and some nasty activity by certain groups.
It is ab experienc e well worth having and the knowledge gained working in africa and seeing and meeting people from all over the world is a benefit I feel well worth having.
It is ab experienc e well worth having and the knowledge gained working in africa and seeing and meeting people from all over the world is a benefit I feel well worth having.
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down3green
- Rank 1
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 11:49 pm
I have to agree on this one, they really suck.2024 wrote:they suck.
It's not about Africa or the working conditions, it's about their attitude.
That's why we used to call the office in North Bay the "Death Star".
You want to stay far because it's such an unhealthy enviromment.
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shinnyside
- Rank 1
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:35 pm
the right attitude
Campanola
You have the right attitude, there is so many people that don't realize how lucky we are to live and work in this great country, more Pilots need to experience what you did in places like Africa to really appreciate how great things really are in Canada, even if your working for a sub par company. Look at the big picture and be positive.
Thanks for the insight Campanola
You have the right attitude, there is so many people that don't realize how lucky we are to live and work in this great country, more Pilots need to experience what you did in places like Africa to really appreciate how great things really are in Canada, even if your working for a sub par company. Look at the big picture and be positive.
Thanks for the insight Campanola
