The Chinook as every new design helicopter has its problems when first fielded.
The Chinook was no different and at one time the early "A" models had as many road miles on them as they did air miles due to being flown out to the field and towed back during their introduction during the 11th Air Assault days at Fort Benning, Georgia.
We moved on through some other problems that were solved in time and now we see the Chinook as the work horse it is and will be seeing them doing the deal well towards the end of this Century.
There was a great deal of politics and resistance to introduction of the 234 on the North Sea. Alan Bristow did not want to invest such amounts of money in so few aircraft with what appeared to be a limited use.
It is interesting to note every single one of the 234's flown on the North Sea are still earning their keep daily with Columbia Helicopters hauling heavy external loads, logging, and fire fighting, all which are much harder on the aircraft than carrying passengers offshore.
But then....Columbia geared up to sustain the aircraft and drew from the vast amount of experienced Chinook people from the US Army as well as their BV-107 experience.
You are right.....I loved flying the Chinook and did so in the worst of situations and the old girls always brought me home. They gave me a few white hairs sometimes but that gives me stories to tell!