Yoh Heli8!
Despite the cynical old man attitude of some, I agree.
I travelled the USA in 1992 and visited many operators. They were being paid in $'s what we were getting in £'s. i.e in those days, about £25K. Considering the cost of living, it was considered a good living. I have family there by the way.
I have just been back, but really only need have read the Rotor & Wing salary review to see that 8 years on, we get paid probably in the region of £33K for a medium/light twin whilst they get $55K plus additional bonus for extra duties etc. Have we kept up?
I don't really give a damn as I've seen the writing on the wall and jumped ship long ago!
But if you want my opinion and as I'm writing this you'll get it anyway
Competative tendering for Cop contract's, mainly from two companies, has caused the demise of the helicopter industry condition's, not the North Sea. Add up the number of pilot's now employed in the Police sector now, it accounts for a very large proportion of the onshore market, of the twin sector - possibly the largest!