I also agree with (almost) everything you guys say about certainly the parts of Bristow this side (Eastern) of the pond. The GOM is a different story but even there things have improved dramatically over the last 5 years.
My view from the inside for what it is worth is that the "Oil Patch" management style is the cause of most of the present discontent.
There are many areas in most large Companies where costs of doing Business can be reduced without much detrimental effect to the morale or income of the boys and girls at the coalface. Changing the quality of the toilet paper and making penny halfpenny savings by changing already frustrating and sometimes unpleasant living conditions where small things are easily blown out of proportion just to save a few Nairas (e.g. on coffee for f**cks sake!) is not one of them. In general most of us are not slaves due to age, financial committments or licences as suggested by Flungdung. I much prefer 6 on 6 off in Nigeria to returning to the P.C. factories of Aberdeen with daily flogs to the East Shetland Basin being the highlight of my life. Most of our guys are young with JAA/FAA/SACAA licences and could get a job anywhere if they wished but they choose to stay because the lifestyle suits them. Lets' not f**ck with the status quo would have been my advice and I am sure was the advice of the old hands in Lagos but they have been ignored and over ridden. A great pity!
Having enjoyed the shade of the Mango tree in ESC in the pre-Bristow days, the arrival of higher pay AND CLA can only be good.
As for the chop, whilst it was never haute cuisine in any form, brown meat and gravy was the usual fare plus salads, veg, dessert, juices, tea, coffee was probably better than some of the characters there did for themselves at home.
The cameraderie, or in some cases, the lack of it among colleagues was the most trying thing. It was bad eneough being there without having to look over your shoulder for potential smiling knives.
I think things have changed in Escravos. I heard from some good friends who work in ESC, that there is a real good team spirit and since the introduction of CLA, the Mango Tree has become real busy.....
Guys say that the manangement in Escravos is determined to get things sorted out for the guys.......
Its also rumoured that Caverton are expecting a couple of 412s and its not 419 oh. to arrive sometime in Noverber.
November of this year-?
CVs are being recieved.
One is to comply with the rules as set forth by management for they know best.....you of all people should know that.
I also worked for a place that prided itself upon compliance with every law, rule, regulation, policy, and procedure known to Man.
Occurrence....
Secretary takes to desktop screaming about the Rat scurrying about her feet.
Investigation....A wee tiny mouse was seen scurrying for cover.
Action....Sticky paper brought from home and set in strategic place. Hours after being set out....said wee mouse observed stuck to the paper. Wee mouse given mammoth whack on his wee noggin (comparatively) and dispatched to the rubbish bin.
Management Review.....Yikes! Way too many applicable rules, policies, procedures violated.....said deceased wee mouse retrieved from the rubbish bin and returned to the scene of the crime. Vector Control notified, daily log entry effected, personnel cautioned of need to follow the rules and procedures....
Result....two weeks later....with obnoxious odor emanating from the decaying wee dead mouse....Vector Control shows up. Two of VC's Finest examine the crime scene....pick up the sticky paper and now dessicated mouse carcass....and toss both into the very same rubbish bin.
I wish to God I was making this up......but not so.
One of the managers in Escravos is due to leave to fly the S92 and his back-to-back has quit for a well known Canadian company. A number of pilots will be off to Heli Malongo soon. Is this a start of the Voertrekker exodus from Bristow Nigeria?
After the latest round of sackings of junior national staff by new boss Mike Armlick aided and abetted by Inhuman Resources Damager 'Foamy Coolings' it is not surprising that national staff are threatening a strike. That will cost more than is saved by charging N150 for a spoonful of instant coffee
Overheard at a crew room near you earlier today, "At least Neddy Holdon came in and went after the oil companies to make money, Mike Armlick has come here to screw us this time". Well, what goes around, comes around
Great GOM style management and it ain't gonna get any better. Remember you don't really work for Bristow, you work for OLOG
HeliJedi,
Are you sure the management at Escravos is determined to sort things out for the guys? If what BB says is true, it sounds as if they're bailing out
Come now, how can you say such bad tings? Chilled Biles himself is surely the one who tells the world that Bristow is, One World, One Mission, One Team....... and presumably very soon just one man
On a pleasanter note, Captain Kobo will be seen in Nigeria much more soon in his new role for Aero. With he and Nabil at the helm they stand a good chance of making a really good company again without any input from CHC
Despite its poor reputation for retaining staff the 'center of excellence', Caverton is getting quite a number of national pilots from Bristow making enquiries about what may be on offer when their 412s start arriving.
Last edited by MamaPut : 5th September 2008 at 23:15.
Reason: icon
Whats up Dude??
I really got worried for a moment. Heard you on a chip when you heard that Coolings was cutting down on your CLA? Someone had to almost give you ?? Must of been a very good bud of yours? As I am sure that they thought you were acting.
Then you complain about ESC that leaks? I hear that its just as bad on your side of things?
And don't through the old training records away. Aren't you supposed to save?? Need to use the other side to make new copies eg. save paper as there isnt any Nira.. Coolings is using it to pay for his coffee And don't forget, his petrol money for company car!
I hear Caverton is going to start bidding for new contracts With 412 and ex Bristow pilots...mmm they should start off with a bang! And not the bang that F.C would like to hear. Pilots slamming the door as they leave!
It would seem a bit of the old Naira dashed about to the right sources and this HR chap could be much less a problem. After all MEND has promised to continue kidnapping expats.
Does he not understand the going price for such things?
Heard you on a chip when you heard that Coolings was cutting down on your CLA?
For the record, a wonderful (also well proportioned) RSA Chief Engineer with a short thumb attempted to give me the Heimlich manoeuvre but his arms weren't long enough so he whacked me on the back which did the trick.
CLA fiasco is now old news - latest is that apart from N150 for a spoonful of Nescafe, they are reducing per diems on courses during work time because we will be receiving CLA monthly - absolutely fair I agree but wait till you see their Maths!
Once again just a few dollars savings on their part (probably less than $10,000 across the whole of WASBU per annum) to piss off an entire work force!
I guess people will just accept the CLA imposition and paying for coffee etc ?
Let's face it, we all complained about something else when we could stop at a bush bar on the way back from a days' work and the company paid for beer on transit nights in the BRC !!
Whatever is given or taken away, the overriding psychological aspect of confinement is what keeps the morale down. Even those who didn't go out knew they could if they wanted to.
C, you may be a good lawyer, or HR manager, or something else, but spelling isn't one them..... It's HELIJEDI.......
The (ex) Empire Strikes back!
And don't forget, his petrol money for company car!
With 412 and ex Bristow pilots...mmm they should start off with a bang! And not the bang that 
F.C would like to hear. Pilots slamming the door as they leave!
on a chip when you heard that 
Coolings was cutting down on your CLA?
Linear Mode
