CHC Timor Contracts-Locals not friendly

[maxeemum]

Reliable source has informed me that a CHC aircrew (pilot) has been injured by rock throwing locals in Timor. Injured pilot hospitalised. Not a user friendly place to work. Wonder if danger money will be added to the touring DTA.

Sleep with your 9mm under your pillow.

Max

:*

[Clarence]

What are you on about? Every landed in Melbourne at night? This could have happened anywhere. Here a thought, if you're scared,don't go and work there. Take your hand bag and bugger off.

[maxeemum]

Clare

Mate Chill. Take some panadol for that period pain you are having!!!!

Melbourne at night hardly requires a 9 mil, melbourne at night hardly a challenge.

You need to get out more!

:D

[bellfest]

Nice on Clarence. Your last name Gatto is it? Part of the underworld gangland? I guess Melbourne would be the same in that case!
The stone chuckers in Dili are a bit restless it seems which would make it an unpleasant place to be for anyone. I couldn't decipher from max's post that he was saying that he was too scared to go there if he were required. Just stating the situation I thought. Maybe I missed it! It could very well be that you are not only a hard ass, but also very perceptive and intelligent:E

[maxeemum]

If required I would do my bit in Timor. The tribe I would be involved with have the required resources to operate in and neutralise the percieved and actual threats in that location.

My initial post related to flying as a contract pilot in a place where an eng fail on take off or Landing is not the only thing you have to worry about. I am interested in how a company like CHC or any one similar can offer its employees some form of gaurantee against being struck down while off duty in a touring location, and the answer is they CAN'T. You take what you can get, and thats the reality.

Risk = return, there is no doubt about it, however having rock chuckers attack you while you head up to the shops for a can of coke would not be uppermost in peoples minds. I know the fellow that was on the receiving end of the rock and he is careful in his approach to just about everything.

Why do pilots who are employees have to worry about civil unrest in their touring locations, when all they are employed to do is fly (contractually), not to keep checking six.

IMHO

Max

:E

[Stan Switek]

I think it is a wise decision to stay aware of the political situation where one is working. Anything less is foolish.

This information is current as of today, Fri Nov 03 2006 20:37:44 GMT-0800 (Pacific Standard Time).
EAST TIMOR

November 01, 2006

This Travel Warning is being updated to inform Americans of ongoing security concerns in East Timor and to urge American citizens to defer non-essential travel to East Timor at this time. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on July 18, 2006.

Although the Department of State authorized lifting the ordered departure status of the U.S. Embassy in Dili on July 18, the Department remains concerned by the threat to the personal safety of Americans in East Timor due to continued indiscriminate communal and politically motivated violence, particularly in the capital, Dili. American citizens are urged to defer non-essential travel to East Timor. Demonstrations in response to the dismissal of 595 members of the armed forces escalated into rioting and violence in April and May. The presence of international troops and police beginning in late May has improved the security situation. However, an upsurge in violence in late October resulted in the deaths of several people, and a number of serious security concerns remain, including:

* The international airport was closed on October 25 due to violent disturbances in its vicinity. The airport has returned to normal operations and security has been augmented. However, travelers who do not defer travel to East Timor should check the status of flights and security in the area prior to commencing travel.
* There are continued incidents of gang related violence in Dili and an associated risk to Americans being intentionally or inadvertently injured by such violence. Stone-throwing attacks on cars are frequent, and have affected American citizens on several occasions. The beach road running from the harbor to beyond the U.S. Embassy has become particularly prone to stone throwing at vehicles. Americans who travel to East Timor despite this warning should exercise extreme caution and maintain a high level of security awareness while moving about in Dili.
* Several areas of Dili have become sites of chronic security incidents. These include in particular the areas around the camps for internally displaced people (IDPs). Americans are advised to avoid these areas and check with the U.S. Embassy regarding other areas of concern.
* The Government of Australia has revised its travel advice for East Timor to include a warning that Australians and Australian interests may be targeted. There is a risk that such targeting could encompass foreigners indiscriminately, including Americans. The Australian travel advice can be viewed at http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/East_Timor
* Sexual assaults against foreign nationals have occurred and may increase in the current environment. Female travelers are advised to exercise particular caution and to avoid travel alone on foot or in taxis, especially at night and in unfamiliar or isolated areas.
* There have been illegal checkpoints operated in some areas of the city. Most frequently taxis and minibuses are stopped with the intent of extortion; in some cases East Timorese were identified for more violent targeting. American citizens are advised against using taxis or minibuses for transportation.

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens traveling or residing in East Timor to be alert to the potential for violence, to avoid those areas where disturbances have occurred, and to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.

Americans in East Timor should immediately register at the Embassy and obtain all recent messages sent to the American community in East Timor. The U.S. Embassy in Dili can be reached at 670 332-4684 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time or the duty officer outside business hours at 670-723-0949. The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenida de Portugal in the Pantai Kelapa area. U.S. citizens living in or traveling to East Timor can also register through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Travelers should also consult the Department of State's latest Consular information Sheet for East Timor. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada. Callers outside of the U.S. and Canada may call a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except on U.S. federal holidays).

[sox6]

Wow 'stone throwing'.

What the f*&% does the US advisory for Iraq sound like?

[maxeemum]

now thats funny!

:p

[Stan Switek]

Wow 'stone throwing'.

What the f*&% does the US advisory for Iraq sound like?

Pretty bad...

[affluent boss]

[quote=maxeemum

[QUOTE]Why do pilots who are employees have to worry about civil unrest in their touring locations, when all they are employed to do is fly (contractually), not to keep checking six.


It is because we are probably percieved as part of the exploitation or are helping to sustain oppression and the oppressors.

[LCT]

Strewth! It is obvious that the majority of respondents thus far to this thread haven't worked in PNG!

There are heaps of war stories from PNG, most of them occuring just before and through to the end of the national elections. People here take elections seriously. All you can do is exercise your best judgement, know that you are an easy target when you stick out in a crowd, and usually keep a 'national' friend with you whenerver you can, especially when you are outside of your wire compound.

I believe anyone who thinks employers can guarantee the safety of his employees in any third world country is more than a little naieve (sp?). I suppose that's why you usually have a secure place to eat and sleep, then the rest is up to you.

Like we used to say in Viet Nam, "You plays the game, you takes your chances".


Keep the fan on top
LCT :}

[EBCAU]

All of this is the reason that pilots in those places earn a little more than those of us in civilized locations. You are not paid extra for your flying skills but to be in a bad location.
There is never a shortage of pilots who will work these places. Competition and correspondingly poor remuneration rules in the nice spots of the world. Dangerous spots can provide that little extra to get ahead, financially or experience wise.
Helicopter pilots pay and conditions are just an example of capitilism and market forces at work.
I know we'd like it to be different but should it be otherwise?

[maxeemum]

EBCAU & LCT,

Yes agree with your posts, It is a pity that the extra coin comes with extra piles of S - - T to put up with, however as described previously that is the nature of the beast. No doubt about it risk = return. Not used to operating in third world countries without large pointy objects pointing out of my ACFT that throw out fast moving projectiles at the locals if they turn nasty. My post related to how you tackle the nasty locals without fire power (literally) or top cover from your contract. As the saying goes its all good fun until some one loses and eye!!!!!

Fly Safe

Max

:cool:

[affluent boss]

[quote=maxeemum; a CHC aircrew (pilot) has been injured by rock throwing locals in Timor.

Phew, how much safer would we all feel, if all we had to contend with in the Niger Delta were rock throwing Militants? But alas, the bullets in the AK47 are the rocks in the hands of Niger Delta Militants.