fohnwind;
Some are hiring pilots with 700 hours, that tends to be the day/fvr single engine end of the market. I would love to invest in new pilots, I do not have a profit margin that allows it. You may doubt my post, I am happy to prove the point and show you what we get from the key man insurers. Please pm me if you want.
Don't forget the key man insurers are taking the risk of what may happen to a multi-national company if the Chief Exec gets killed in an accident, not the hull and third party risks, the key man risks run into billions.
As for what you have heard, I've no doubts there are cowboys on-shore, and I certainly saw plenty off-shore.
As for 2 crew; the company either has full two crew procedures in the OM, or it doesn't. If it doesn't then the clients know that it is two qualified pilots with one working as single pilot. Go through Wyvern clearance some time, and see how the audit process works. Its' expensive, but essential to fly a lot of the US market in Europe,
And finally, we don't own the aircraft, if the owners can save a couple of quid on insurance premiums they will, just as they whinge about pilot costs, anything to do with safety that costs, maintenace costs and hourly rates. I often compain that going back off-shore would lead to a fairly dull existence, knowing what I'm doing next month, but I would miss the challenge of on-shore, and despite your comments flying with some very highly motivated, professional aviators, in a small, friendly group.
SND