I disagree Fling. I would suggest it is all "rates" driven. As the operators raise rates then they can afford to pay higher wages and provide better benefits and conditions.
If a single operator of the big three raise rates, the other two will follow. The oil companies will pay the increase. There is no reason for the helicopter operators to always do it on the "cheap". That is a flawed business concept that has held the US industry back all these years. There is a difference between "Cheap" and doing it for a "fair" rate. No one wins if "cheap" is the rule. Just look at the state of the industry in the GOM now as compared to the NorthSea.