My 5 cents...... .. .Offshore is (dare I say out loud....) BORING.. .. .Having done it for 2yrs, I won't be sad if I never see another rigpig for the rest of my life. The most memorable days are the dangerous ones where you are out in 50 - 70kts, huge sea states and the complete opposite days of deep thick fog. Thats just wrong. . .I worked a small field with 20 platforms and the straight and level offshore for only 25 - 50 miles bored me to tears after a year. Hats off to you blokes who do the 3hrs out and 3 back.... ******s me how you can stand it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> . .It is repeditive and often very low in the job satisfaction rating. It is good for comraderie and working with other experienced guys and there is little demand from management to compromise your personal standards.. .Regardless of that the aircraft's sole tasking is to support the accumulation of wealth. . .I find the EMS mission to be a little more important. . .It is also untrue to state that offshore do the best IFR in the world. Very few obstacles at sealevel 60 miles offshore. . .I would say the drivers on EMS along the Canada/USA border are the most experienced at actual IFR op's, with having to deal with extreme wx, traffic, complex airspace and remote area operations. . .One of the most competent IFR helo drivers I have met was ex-polair pilot from Melbourne, OZ. Some of his experiences would stand your hair on end.. .Appart from all that, I salute the guys for getting together and achieving pay equity with the slabwing drivers. You guys have lead the way for the industry and your solidarity is inspiring. Fly Safe and watch those cranes. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />