Certainly seems there has been a big influx in the North Sea operators taking on 200hr CPL's with IR's; most of my friends have secured positions in the last 12 months.
Agree also with Camp Freddie that going along the FI route is without question the least risk to yourself. Just a pointer though, I've been instructing now for 2 and a half years, have 2000 hours r22/r44 time, and in my first year was fortunate enough to earn 35k, and 36k in my second financial year. And this year..... I've earned absolutly scratch! The general public are tightening their belts, and it's having a big knock on with instructional work.
Also if your married as I am, being an instructor means you have to work EVERY weekend, cause that's when the bulk of your income is earned. Do it for long enough and you'll get annoyed that you will never see your mates of a weekend, or spend any decent amount of time with your partner.
Get your Ir, and get yourself offshore - you will go to sleep each night feeling secure that you know exactly how much your going to earn that month. Agreed, you will do shifts, but atleast you can plan ahead knowing what days you have off, and you won't work EVERY weekend!
If I had half an opportunity, I would be getting my IR behind me - anybody got 50 grand they don't want? - I'll have it!
