I donīt know a single other helicopter operator great enough to be compared with the big off-shore one. Itīs only the black gold and the warm and close clima in this area
(called union) making the pilots life so good.
The other operators and pilots are out of race.
After more than 10.000 hours iīm now in the EMS business flying for one of the worlds biggest operators twins, but my paycheck is smaller than for the right airline copilot beginners. The only advantage: Iīm alone as pilot in case of hoisting an injured hiker out of the stone and snow. I don`t like the pilot flying/nonflying discussions.
But it was my decision, although holding an ATPL MEH/IR i hate saltwater and the rigg job isnīt mine.