Calling all UK Police/HEMS Pilots
I have watched this thread with interest, and sense a groundswell of opinion that we are not paid enough for the experience and skills that we bring to the job. This seems to be supported by the poor response to a couple of recent adverts for jobs for direct employed posts, and by the almost constant advertising in Flight by at least one of the major contractors.
Unfortunately, employers, be they Police authorities, or commercial air operators, will pay the minimum they can get away with, and furthermore, we have seen that they are not averse to moving the experience goalposts if they feel they need to. But, the pool is drying up despite the widened goalmouth: the self improver must make a massive financial commitment if he/she is to fulfil the experience requirements, and the military leaver is tempted away from the rotary world by the airlines’ salaries and Ts and Cs. Police/HEMS operators are relying on the culture and ethos found in many ex military pilots who seem almost thankful for having a job, especially one where they can go to sleep in their own bed most nights if they choose to, and where they can fly machinery that is almost state-of-the-art and where spares are usually available (yes, even the 902). But don’t forget – we work long hours, usually right up to the FTL limits, frequently including 12 hour nights shifts; we fly single pilot (apart from Virgin HEMS), in the worst weather, and usually without the benefit of an IR, but we are required to be able to cope with an inadvertent IMC encounter with the minimum training. There are no co-pilot slots for learning these skills on the job, so they have to be bought in
Bertie Thruster got it right way back at post #5 – we must learn from what happened in the North Sea; the only way we can change our lot is by collective bargaining, and a concerted effort of professionally led negotiations backed up by the facts from a benchmarking study comparing our skills, experience and responsibilities with other commercial pilots, and this must be supported by a workforce of pilots united behind the negotiators, and not afraid to put their money where their mouths are. If you feel this is a bit reminiscent of British Leyland and the NCB in the late 70s early 80s, then I am sorry, but I think you are wrong. BALPA helped rewrite the helicopter salary rulebook with CHC and then Bristows 10 years ago, we must use their skills and experience for our sector of the industry, or be resigned to wringing our hands and saying, “We must be worth more than this” on web forums and in crew rooms the length and breadth of the country.
Despite the current financial squeeze on funding, the public demands access to Air Ambulance services and the charities seem to have very little difficulty fundraising. Similarly, it will be a very brave Police Authority that gets rid of its helicopter solely due to increased pilotage costs. If you really want the financial rewards that our skills and experience are worth then get organised, get recognised, and give your company council the support it needs to run a really successful campaign.