Well I suppose they may arrive, but Bristow have many of very old helicopters here in Nigeria which you would be ashamed to fly. I had heard of the old attitudes concerning the 'us and them' between pilots and flight mechanics with Bristow. Well I can say that they are still there in many cases and I have encountered them. The Target Zero and Business Integrity are things which many in Nigeria do not believe of. Too many mechanics of the 'old school' with their old colonial attitude don't want trouble with the management in Lagos who tell them to keep old helicopters flying at any cost. The old British military pilots who once were almost all Bristow had were happy to except that because is what they were used to. Despite that is totally contrary to COBI and Target Zero and against the Operation Manual, pilots who actually dare to want to write unserviceability in the technical manual are treated by some old mechanics as troubel makers who just wants to make work for them. In truth I doesn't blame them as in some of the bases there is no real workshops, no tools and no spares. What is bad is that if management know of this, they do nothing, they talks only of Target Zero, they sack people on small excuse for breaches of the very integrity which they themselves breach every day. How do they know what is really happening when most of them sit in the safety of their offices in Lagos and listen only to their base managers telling them that all is okay and they can manage. Then the mechanics who want to work in Lagos but haves to visit other bases complaining that pilots who want the technical record to be accurate because they don't want to fly helicopters with too many faults are just troubel makers or 'wimps'.
As any proper officer knows....the other ranks are low, scheming, shifty characters of questionable heritiage. Is it not why they used to be locked below decks in the old days? One should always use a swagger stick to touch them if necessary to avoid catching something from them.
The arrival of S92...AB 139...EC 175 etc. coincides with the departure of old English Pilots, who sometimes don't mind to fly unservicable helicopters and sometimes complain if the technical records are not correct. Also on their way out are old mechanical engineers, who sometimes like to work in Lagos and sometimes are not happy with the old pilots. The lack of tools and spares will soon be a thing of the past, since all the new aircraft are big and powerful enough to carry their own little Target Zero workshops in their boot. And replacing all the old veterans will be a new army of young and dynamic Aussies, South Africans, Far Easterners...and perhaps the odd Frenchman. Auntie COBI will love it. Finally, the troubel makers are gone, and once again: Bristow will be one big, happy family.
There is no split -yet . There is a spat, which may lead to a split, but even the EC225s are due to be 'on their way coming' shortly. Mani is back out here sorting out contracts but nobody seems to want to sort out L4 . Meanwhile, who is sorting out why the 2 year bonus payments have been delayed - that is really bad news.
I suspect the result of the Agbami contract was decided a long time ago, but the people who know aren't in a position to say anything yet because NNPC is also involved
GMIA,
There is no split in anything here: Bristow has got the contract (100% that is), if you want to be part of it, I'm sure you know who to apply to.
I hear more than $100 million now! Na wah oh, some Jinta is working here .
Agbami is still not announced, but it seems more likely it will be awarded to just one company now.
Bristow Nigeria new Managing Director is now in Nigeria. Another accountant recruited from Baker Hughes, but this time a Brit and at least he's been in Nigeria for a few years already. Don't expect to see many changes here then. More people in both Bristow and CHC now seem to have realised that there are now well paid jobs around outside of Nigeria and, tired of the BS about how better days are coming, are now leaving. It's interesting that quite a few of the recent incomers to Bristow from Abu Dhabi Aviation are now returning there, despite the slagging off that company always gets here. Another one quit to go back there again this week. The way things are going even Caverton will get some applications from CHC and Bristow people - okay, that's going too far..... but I must admit to liking the idea of my Kia Sedona jeep, even if I do have to change to a larger shoe size . When you hear of some of the big hitters like chuks, 212 man and doc going there it certainly does make you think doesn't it?
I was just out there practicing a medevac in the middle of a small sandstorm, loading two guys playing car crash victims on spinal boards in a Twotter. I got back here hot, tired and sandy, needing some cheering up and here it is! I am a what, "heavy hitter"? Nawao!
Well, yes, I do have an extensive background in helicopter flying; just ask Doc if you don't believe me. Too, there must be a few people on the Lagos scene I haven't wound up yet, so... When do I start?
I reckon the Bajaj will be the standby machine for the luxury shuttle service to downtown Lagos which must be starting any time from now, yes? Mechanical breakdowns, IMC, whatever, just walk 'em across the ramp and load 'em up; they will hardly know the difference until we cross the runway and go bumping off through the bush towards the old Concord Press complex.
I can just see myself out there in the pointy shoes, four-bar epaulettes, white shirt made from a bed sheet... the very body and soul of professionalism. Is there room in that thing to wear a hat? I need a hat. And a noise-cancelling headset. That too.
One thing: this is a new Bajaj, right? Not a Tokunbo Bajaj please; I do have standards, you know!
Things at Hassi Messaoud are going downhill. First there was one B-206L and now there are two. This is how things started in Lagos, you know. Just the odd helo now and then but now they have taken over completely, or so I have been told.
I have heard from reliable sources that when employed by the "Centre of Excellence" one wears five bars to indicate one's level of experience and learning is quite superior to other mere "Captains" who fail to meet the demanding mark of Daddy. It is just not pointy toed shoes that identify quality in the Lagos aviation scene.
The new Bristow MD is going to have some hard work. It may be that Neddy Holdon made the company very profitable but does anyone think that oil companies like being threatened? With only the 2 companies to chose from in Nigeria, maybe they don't mind and I'm sure they'll make sure Aero (whether on its own or in co-operation with a company other than CHC) keeps going so there is some credible opposition to Bristow. Pilots and engineers continue to leave Bristow faster than they can be replaced and most of them are now getting work outside Nigeria, especially in Australia (where Bristow pilots have received a substantial payrise which now makes it worthwhile going there) and back in the Middle East (where the money is less, but the danger is too and the way of life much nicer).
CHC pilots may not have had their bonuses paid, but they are expecting a large payrise when their new rates are announced shortly. Much has been said about the CHC deathcamp, but this has now been abandoned and although the houses in Areta are old, at least everyone has a room with an en-suite bathroom and full meals are provided (even at work) free of charge by the company. All employees enjoy free internet access both at work and in their houses. With Bristow the housing ranges from the good to the truly awful and how the guys at Eket put up with the dump they exist in is beyond me . There is much talk in Bristow of what happens when the S92s arrive, but so far, even though they have pilots and engineers away on courses, there is no sign of them actually coming. There are plenty of old underpowered, rattletrap early model 412 and 76s though. OK, Aero has quite a few old 365s, but the majority of them now are N3s and all the 76s are C+ models and the 2 EC225s will be seen here very soon. Actions speak louder than words!
When you hear of some of the big hitters like chuks, 212 man and doc going there it certainly does make you think doesn't it?
Sadly, DOC and I discovered our shoes were not pointy enough and we had to return to the land of head hunting (no pun intended ) How can you include us in the same sentence as a big hitter 328 ogha - we are not worthy
Despite all the problems CHC seems to have in Nigeria at the moment, at least they have published pay scales unlike Bristow where nobody knows what the scales are and everyone seems to join on a special deal. CHC pay scales are available for anyone to view and when the pay review is announced it will be in open view for everyone. Bristow claims to be transparent and to communicate with employees, but try getting any information from them about pay scales and you'll be met with evasions. Most memos with information are of the 'eat before reading' variety . No wonder people are leaving both companies in Nigeria at the moment. Whoever wins the Agbami contract will find it hard to get the number of people needed.
Okay...okay...been reading all the past posts on Nigeria....so what is the situation as far as security...and pay for a Engineer working for Bristow............now.???? Any updates on the housing situtation??? Is it worthwhile to consider going there for an Engineer??
It depend which base you go to. CHC pay better. If you go to Lagos you can have a nice time to sit in the bar if you are one of the inn crowd, but if not you have to visit the bush bars outside as you will be made to feel unwelcome. Are you old? If you are young and have no friend there allready you may be made to feel very unwelcome. From which country are you? If you are from the wrong one you will be made to feel very unwelcome and treated as if you do not know anything.
Who Really Breaches the Bristow Integrity?
. There is a spat, which may lead to a split, but even the EC225s are due to be 'on their way coming' shortly. Mani is back out here sorting out contracts but nobody seems to want to sort out L4 
. Meanwhile, who is sorting out why the 2 year bonus payments have been delayed - that is really bad news.
. 
. There is much talk in Bristow of what happens when the S92s arrive, but so far, even though they have pilots and engineers away on courses, there is no sign of them actually coming. There are plenty of old underpowered, rattletrap early model 412 and 76s though. OK, Aero has quite a few old 365s, but the majority of them now are N3s and all the 76s are C+ models and the 2 EC225s will be seen here very soon. Actions speak louder than words!
. No wonder people are leaving both companies in Nigeria at the moment. Whoever wins the Agbami contract will find it hard to get the number of people needed.
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