Flying to Basra (Iraq)

[flyblue]

Ohhh sweety !
After following all your struggle to be re-employed last year, that comes as a big new!
Well we wish you all the best for the future!

[flyblue]

Following a Mod meeting we decided that for security reasons the names of any airline flying to Basra should not be named. Thanks to you all for your cooperation.

[flyblue]

sweety,

I remembered more your morale then than the difficulty of getting another job. Anyway if I misunderstood, my fault only!

good luck for your next wings

[Fly_JEMS]

Sweety

Shame you have decided to leave your company but I am sure you will get back into life in the air.. But I am sure that other charter airlines fly to far worse places and probably end up going to Basra..

Good Luck..I am sure you will be missed

[2daddies]

Well done on a tough decision, Sweety. At the end of the day NO job or amount of money is worth your life. And believe me, Iraq is nowhere near as safe as some say.

It's funny. Resigning over an issue such as operating as a civilian into a warzone seems like such a simple decision to make but when it comes time to lay your job on the line it can be a tough call.

I chose to resign this week if my company resumed services into Iraq (suspended after DHL) but after discussions with management it was agreed to make operating there strictly voluntary (and I didn't volunteer!). So I stayed. But it is bloody hard to leave any job in such a stuffed industry.

Best of luck for the future.

[opsjockey]

Im off to Kabul tomorrow! Not quite the same as Basrah (Although we do have a few flights there this week!) Rather looking forward to it! A fact finding mission to broaden ones horizons!!

[sweety]

good company!

2daddies - you are working for a good company! This is the way to do it - seeking volunteers, surely they will find some for those flights (there are enough crazy people out there! (joke!!)..)

Take care all of you - crazy and not so crazy!

[spaniel eyes]

I am pleased to see such a response regarding the safety of crew, sweety, i think you will have a better christmas this year, unfortunately, I will be visiting Basra around the festive season.... I am still unhappy and have received no support from my company, and am dreading going...(not only the cargo incident, but also the charter incident is enough to raise eyebrows)
I can't afford to resign, although I am looking for another job, I feel that the company has put me in a position where I have been backed into a corner and its "do it, or leave".
Why do all airlines make you feel so easily replaceable?

[flyblue]

Let's be very careful! If it's only "rumors", it might be just another urban legend! I believe the press wouldn't have missed one more occasion to waste ink! Has someone witnessed something firsthand?

And some food for thought: in countries where a CC licence exist, it's not that easy to replace them!

[spaniel eyes]

I have it on good authority there was an incident where there was a security alert in Basra, as the A/C landed. The crew, on opening the doors were greeted by special forces, and were told to stay away from the doors and to sit on the floor as there was a security issue at the airport. I believe some explosives were found on the airport perimeter.
The crew were understandably shaken and upset.
Before anyone says it, the military were doing their job to ensure the safety of the a/c and crew, I am not doubting that these are proffessionals, but at the same time, surely civil airlines should not be subjecting their crew to such distressing situations.... when we do not undergo military training?

[starbag]

Basrah flying

Well, to shed some light on the flying to Basrah, I've just got back from doing my first trip, and am busy proudly showing off my Basrah stamp in my passport. No insurance company is ever going to let an airline fly in unless they are 100% happy with the arrangements, insurance companies are the experts in judging risks. Having chatted to the RAF team at Basrah airport, there has never been any incident with a civilian aircraft flying into Basrah, the stories about bullet holes are just stories I'm afraid. Yes, it's different landing with all the lights out, but to be honest, it was all a bit of an anticlimax. Basrah airport is efficient, the RAF crews are really friendly, and grateful for any spare papers, milk, chocolate etc and the passengers are about as well behaved as it's possible to get. The flights to Akrotiri are short and trouble free. Regards the DHL freighter, remember that was Baghdad bound. Comparing Baghdad and Basra is like comparing Belfast at the height of the troubles to Cork, same bit of land, but a world apart. The soldiers we were chatting to were saying that the area is pretty trouble free.

It's a pity that some of the people who have made the most noise about this topic hadn't actually spoken to people within their company who had actually done the flight and could answer their questions. It's certainly one of the easiest three day trips I've ever done.

[Moose 9]

Have to agree,Baghdad and Basra although still both in Iraq are worlds apart,we operate to both of these airports and much prefer flying to Basra than Baghdad,never seen any hint of trouble in Basra,Baghdad always seems to be a hive of activity and tension,almost get the feeling that something is going to happen any second.As for the troops in Basra,wow what great people and always very friendly,even under the circumstances,they are wonderful representatives for their country!!

[TightSlot]

It's certainly one of the easiest three day trips I've ever done.

They're all easy, until they aren't, and then suddenly they're not fun at all! Maybe worth bearing in mind?

Haven't been, so can't comment otherwise.