From what I hear the likelihood of the CHC pilots' association getting off the ground is now receding as the company management already have 'their man' as a well-placed member and reporting everyting back to them, including the names of all those who have signed on.
The situation in Nigeria has now passed breaking point with several aircraft every day now sitting in the hangar due to lack of crews. This is unlikely to improve with the management in Nigeria seeming set to press ahead with a move to an abandoned housing estate in one of the better known bad areas of Port Harcourt despite many pilots and engineers being set against it. There's a petition with many names on it, plus a number of people who have not signed it, saying that a large number of staff will either resign or demand a transfer to another base if the management go ahead with the scheme. The people in Port Harcourt are fed up with broken promises and half truths about moves to much better housing (almost as good as the management enjoys
- cancelled due to cost) or improvements to their facilities, including a new staff house, at the location where they now live. All that's actually happened is that the food has deteriorated and maintenance of the present houses has gone down since the previous manager, who used to live on the estate, was moved away by the new owners of Aero. Allegedly a large magority of the staff said they want to move. Hmm.... 'Hello Mr new pilot who has never been here before and doesn't know anything about the place. Would you like to stay in this lousy house, or would you like to help us save lots of money and move to a beautiful new estate with lots of facilities and security?'. 'Oh, sir, please sir, I want the shiny new place'.
Never mind, there's no problem in Nigeria. The addition of very tasteful curtains to the vans has made everything very safe and secure now. Don't worry about the high security state. We've brought it in so it looks as if we're doing something positive, but if you all want to just ignore it anyway. It's okay with us because we come from Nuke a Gay Tree for Peace-land and we'd hate you tho think we're in any way infringing on your total right to freedom just to keep you safe.
......One year later ........ for sale, 3 Sikorsky S76C+, 3 SA365N3, barely flown due to lack of crew. 2 AW139's also available.
At least Bristow, who are in pretty much the same boat, only have a bunch of tired old wrecks of Bell 212s to sell off.