It seems from comments on that thread from those in the know that it is the helicopter operators themselves, all busy undercutting the others to get the contract, that have created a poor Flight Safety culture in order to get the job done cheaply.
Crab - although I sort of agree with you, who do you think drives the operators to reduce their charges on a regular basis? Could that be their customers?
Oil companies are always being challenged by their top management to reduce costs, thereby increasing profits. Generally they are asked to reduce costs by so many percent across the board, that means they are expected to reduce costs in every part of their organisations, including transportation, by the same percentage.
As all of us on this thread know only too well, rotart wing operating costs are being severely stretched, and have been for many years. So how can you reduce the costs to the customer - something has to give..........