Yeah, that's true. Sounded a bit doom and gloom alright, but just kinda making a broader statement of things in a comparative way. I hear and see more job adverts going on on the Australian side of things than in Canada - albeit, it is winter for Canada and always quiet.
Luckily for those of us that are experienced in the ways of moving drills and seismic ops, there are still some ops going, but the general gist of things is that its all been cut back dramatically.
As far as I know, STARS aren't looking for people - except an engineer. CHC, if you mean Global, they had advised me 2 months ago, that they would not be hiring anyone for the foreseeable future of at least 6-12 months.They were after letting go of 75 people 6 weeks ago. CHL, are also cutting back. HTS had also mentioned a short while ago, that there would be no hiring anytime soon (Canada side anyway, not sure of U.S. side). Not sure of Trans North, but had been mentioned that they weren't looking for people either.
There was a new issue of Vertical Mag, and in the back you see lots of advertisements for pilots - unfortunately, I think those ads have all been bought in a block format and are just there - sadly giving some of us false hope.
I saw Ultra put out their usual spring advertisement - but who knows their true intentions. Good timing on the Guardian Helicopters job, I just saw that one show up today. There is a job going for Cougar, but you need some decent experience under your belt, and ATPL and IR.
I guess, I am hopeful, for everyone, that there will be good work this summer in Canada - but I cant shake the feeling, that after the way things went last summer and the talks going on in a lot of companies, its just not gonna happen this summer.
It is a strange old market though. It seemed that CHC were losing contracts, Africa and Thailand, but today I heard they just won some contracts in Thailand again - so here's hoping. Although, I am sure Bristow were disappointed hearing that, as they were swooping in there with their 76's, but a lost cause now. It would seem that Bristow are poised to become the biggest and greatest, but even though have been cutting back on hiring globally.
I dunno, cant keep up with it all. I just think that for a low timer starting out, this is gonna be one of the hardest summers in a long time to get at it. However, by all means, go for it!! Dont let anyone hold you back or get in your way. Determination usually gets people through. Best of luck to you all!