Logs for the fire!
Incoming!
Every minute in the air is big bucks for the helicopter operators.
The east side crews, new or not should be able to vacate a runway as quick as any experienced pilot. They also get to use 23 and a hover to the right to vacate 34 is hardly rocket science.
The oil company penalty clauses regarding late departures do not effect safety but do cause conflict between management and pilots. I do not know a pilot personally on the north sea who actually rushes to a point where safety is compromised just to be away on time.
It really is stupid for helicopter operators to schedule same time departures from Aberdeen at 07:00hrs.
Aberdeen ATC in my opinion are superb. They are for obvious reasons the best I have ever experienced for helicopter/fixed wing operations.
Thank you to them!