I'm probably not the only experienced offshore captain (EU citizen, by the way) out there wondering about the reality of that statement. Sure, the top pay is probably what you describe, but the union structure must mean that even an experienced pilot trying to break into North Sea market will be on a much lower income for many years as a FO.
Also, it's not really all that good an income compared with some other places if you have to pay UK/Norway taxes.
I happen to agree with what, I think, you are implying. That number, $150,000, is often brought up as the Holy Grail of this industry, when ..in purely financial terms .. there are better deals out there. Please don't start another Quality of Life vs Income argument, that wasn't what I intended.
Besides, the main point in my post was to question Flungdung's assertion that someone already established in the offshore industry in another part of the world could walk into a North Sea position on that kind of income. I doubt that.
I think the reasons people are staying in Nigeria are that the options aren't quite as easy as you imply, which is why I was pushing you on your post.
The frenzied Canadian budgie has been reasonably good to me, a couple of interesting places in Africa and now in Thailand with training captain's pay that isn't too far off the figure you quote for the North Sea. But like most pilots, my thoughts have sometimes wandered elsewhere and the reality is this:
1. Return to the GOM - about $75,000 optimistically 2. Maybe an EMS position - ditto 3. Lucky me, I am a UK citizen with a CAA ATPL, but even the North Sea would probably only start about $90,000 with high UK tax, as you admit above.
For my Canadian brethren, any return home would mean a 30 - 40% tax loss and a lower paying job.
Thing is, I'm personally in an OK position at the minute and I'm just using my options as an example. But if I was in Nigeria and couldn't get a better position in the company, I sure as heck couldn't jump ship, unless I was willing to take a huge cut in income (which I'd have to admit might be worth it, that's a personal qol decision). I suspect that's why the guys are so frustrated, they know conditions are bad but they can't just pick up and leave as you say. Instead of leaving and spending the next 10 years regaining their financial position, wouldn't it be nice if companies would give them the respect, better conditions and pay that they deserve in their situation now.
Last edited by inputshaft : 3rd July 2008 at 12:22. Reason: content
I think you both have it right. Remember that many pilots in Nigeria don't hold JAA licences, so the North Sea option is not there for them. However a number of Brit pilots in Bristow have managed to transfer back to the North Sea to command positions and a number of Australian pilots are now doing the same things and getting almost as much money even after tax deduction, but with a much better quality of life. Pilots are even returning to the much maligned Abu Dhabi Aviation, reversing the trend of recent years. The companies anyway, only have to pay the money, the tax is entirely the responsibility of the pilot, so why should the same company pay a much lower salary to pilots in one place than another for doing the same job? In Nigeria now, companies have to pay income tax for pilots, but in the North Sea they also have to pay the social security insurance (sorry I don't know the real name). What people out here are sick of is that they are not given any respect and as there are no recognised salary negotiation bodies, we just have to accept what we are told we are going to get. Bristow still has the same old management bunch at the top who are renowned for lack of communication with their pilots and threatening attitudes if they feel any of their unilateral decisions are questioned. The new team at the top has made no difference to this and statements like that quoted yesterday by Darrelsdregs from their senior directors don't inspire any confidence that things will improve. Aero has had huge problems recently, but now that all senior management of the company in Nigeria are Aero, not CHC matters rapidly seem to be improving. Their salaries are good and I expect many more national pilots to abandon Bristow for Aero as vacancies come up. With Nabil in charge in Port Harcourt things are being turned around. Fair play has been restored and we have a listening manager who is there listening to and talking to the staff most days after work. My guess is that most Bristow managers stay as far away as they possibly can from their staff. Well, they'll soon reap the seed they've sown.
I wonder what has happened to the pension funds of those transferring from CHC to Aero? Does Aero have a pensions scheme? Bristow does, but it seems that there are many irregularities in its administration which are making people to question whether the money is being invested or stolen . Questions are being asked, but answers are not being given. The HRM has no idea and meanwhile money is still not being invested as it should be. Maybe it is part of the profitability bonus for senior managers, maybe litigation is the only way any answers will be made to be given?
Word going round is that Caverton is looking for 412 drivers for their '3' 412's, of which the 1st one is expected to be delivered in sep or oct. ANYONE OUT THERE WITH FACTS on this?
Here we will just continue in our prison surrounded by barb wire and bush, 13 hour days, convoys of gunmen to escort us to our work, no facilitys and the management will think we should be pathetically grateful that for this we should recieve an extra $17 per day.
Darrel, if you are really that unhappy and are not willing to move in the current climate where opportunities are abundant, I'm afraid you maybe setting out your stall for the rest of your career behind that barbed wire. If you don't do something about it now, when are you? I'm guessing you maybe waiting for terms and conditions to improve....how long is a piece of string? Good luck either way.
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The companies anyway, only have to pay the money, the tax is entirely the responsibility of the pilot, so why should the same company pay a much lower salary to pilots in one place than another for doing the same job?
Mayotte, I agree. I think it's riculous that the international division of a company should pay less, purely due to the fact that the employee is managing to stay tax free. It's a cop out on the companies part, in an ideal world the company should pay the going rate, and if the employee manages to remain tax-free, it's a bonus to them, not the company! It may come to a head soon. For all those non-resident from the UK tax system, it's getting more difficult to keep within the required criteria (less than 90days/year in the uk). Travel days are now counted as days in the country, as of this tax year, which on an equal time rotation to / from the Uk, technically reduces your useable days in the UK by 12 days.
Am very willing to move and am waiting to find out about 2 possible jobs. Am trying to get a phone number for Sunny as Calverton are definitevely getting 3 412s this year, but have heard bad things about the comopany and people not getting paid (and not just expartriates - several Nigerians also have left or been fired). Am also waiting for this Randy Organ to come out so I can see if my money in Bristow pension scheme has been stolen or misused as I have heard have happens before ADA is also a possibility and from what have heard there is good possibilities for 412 pilots in India now with Global Vectra.
Rumor is that the EC225s will be on their way for Aero again soon
Bristow people obviously not happy as many of the posts here lately are about them. What of their pay rise? What of the S92s? With the S92 transmission problems I don't think I'd like to be flying one in a place like Nigeria until that problem is sorted out
For anyone heading Bonny way, be very, very careful. There are many rumors about what could happen at Bonny in the very near future - none of them nice. All expats have been advised to leave and there are now around 1000 armed army personnel on the island. Keep clear of the place if you can and if not stay as short a time as possible and fly out of range of rifle and RPG fire
Things have returned to "normal" at Eket as the contract strike has been called off. Until the next GM HR gaffe. Arrogant, condescending and a bully are a selection of descriptions of him. As if things weren't bad enough
Normal means armed convoys to and from the big cage that is QIT and total lock down with nil facilities. Nil except intermittent cheap internet using components brought from Esa Akpan that were paid for by the guys when they were there, terrible food, overpriced beer and minerals among other things.
By October there won't be enough pilots to fly the aircraft. Engineering are even worse off. Once the revenue starts to drop off and the shouting starts there may be alarm bells somewhere ? Probably too late to salvage the contract which is already in jeopardy after Noddy Holdon's blackmail.
Phonewind - yeah you are right there have been one or two problems with the S92 but someones gotta fly them to give feedback to the clever okes with white jackets and thick glassses so they can rectify them.
Just like any helicopter ever built throughout history....its called development.......... So while you sit back and relax in the safety of archaic technology I will be happy to fly Bristows newest, shiny bling bling, state of the art Michael Naicker converted, fully chromed helichopper around.........and .......wonder about the pay rise??????
A new challenge is always good. Seeing that we have 4xS92's on the cards for Nigeria ..come on in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bonny is still very tense and NLNG are now getting so paranoid about anybody outside getting to know about it they have now restricted internet access by anyone not at managerial level. However, they can't stop people using their mobile phones and one of my friends there says the situation on the island is extremely tense.
After the attack last month when one person was beheaded, the severed head was mounted on a stick and carried around by the animals who had committed the murder. There are stickers around in Bonny Town saying that all expats must leave by July 16 or they will have their heads cut off too. If you have to fly to Bonny during the next week or two keep your eyes open and don't shut down if possible as it seems the place is a tinderbox at the moment
Two of my friends who applied to Bristow just told that they have no vacancies at present. One a 76 man and the other 76 and 412. What's going on? Are they short or not?
Pension Funds 
. Questions are being asked, but answers are not being given. The HRM has no idea and meanwhile money is still not being invested as it should be. Maybe it is part of the profitability bonus for senior managers, maybe litigation is the only way any answers will be made to be given?
ADA is also a possibility and from what have heard there is good possibilities for 412 pilots in India now with Global Vectra.
Be Very Careful if Flying to Bonny 
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