Capers in Cameroon
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Capers in Cameroon
Has anyone else heard the stories coming out about a certain foreign airline in Cameroon that keeps claiming that its sacked pilots who’ve already quit? Its happened with a couple guys I know now. This from a boss who goes looking around all the computers there to try and get rid of photos of himself half-naked in orgies, with his private parts showing and who gives out captaincy based on performance in his bed. It’s a sad state of affairs and there’s a lot more going on there besides. Pilots falling asleep at the controls and pilots damaging aircraft get away with it, but if you dare to criticise management you better watch your back. AC/DC DC/AC – its all the same in this company. Not for the weak in spirit. Take care if your thinking of going there
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PW
Would that be 'Crusty' you're talking about? I heard some stories too, but don't know if they're true. From what I hear there are a lot of changes there now, but all of the people you're talking about are still staying on, so I guess no-ting go change. Africa eh?
Would that be 'Crusty' you're talking about? I heard some stories too, but don't know if they're true. From what I hear there are a lot of changes there now, but all of the people you're talking about are still staying on, so I guess no-ting go change. Africa eh?
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Pray do tell !!
Hey Phone Wind I've been offered a contract position in Camerroon, give me a better idea as to who this crowd are so that I know what I'm potentially getting myself into, if indeed its the same company.
Is this manager person french or "se'ffrican" ?
Cheers
Is this manager person french or "se'ffrican" ?
Cheers
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Seen some of the pictures now - he didn't erase all of them. Dunno if its his parts or a baguette 
Also heard that he's the one called Crusty. Seems like there getting rid of people right now so any excuse will do.
Also heard that he's the one called Crusty. Seems like there getting rid of people right now so any excuse will do.
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Phone Wind,
If you've got some information come out with it, don't just make insinuations. It sounds to me as if you're referring not to an airline, but to one of the helicopter operator there, both of who have had some problems in the last couple of months with aircraft ditched and contracts lost. What's the real story behind this?
If you've got some information come out with it, don't just make insinuations. It sounds to me as if you're referring not to an airline, but to one of the helicopter operator there, both of who have had some problems in the last couple of months with aircraft ditched and contracts lost. What's the real story behind this?
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I'm sure I know the company you're talking about becaus there only have 2 in Cameroon who have helicopters and it's not French.
This particular indivaidual has a reputation as being unfair, hard and biased. How does his boss allow this to happen? Maytbe its because he has allowed his great management skills to see his company to have fallen to one third of what it had in Cameroon 3 years ago. I expect the new owners of the company will be taking a long hard look at things like this.
Maybe its time somebody asked Exxon how people who don't really meet up with its Captain requirements are flying as captains for it? If any of the people who he has fired think they have a real case they should sue the company for constructive dismissal. However I know this is often difficult for people working on dodgy contracts for companies who are not the actual companies contracted. i.e. I know that for Bristow pilots in Africa they work for British Island Airways (Guernsey) and Schreiner pilots have to transfer to APRAM. Even these contracts are often easily exposed in European and American courts as the phonies they are to try and deprive pilots (and engineers) of their legal rights when they are working for European (and American) companies overseas. All those pilots working for Bristow in Nigeria and who were recently laid off because they were over the age of 57 at the instence of Mobil should consider a class action against either Bristow or OLOG or Mobil in the American, European or International courts and see what happens. After all,\Nigerian law currently permits pilolts to fly until the age of 65 and companies like Exxon/Mobil cannot be allowed to arbitrarily impose their own rules for no good reason,\ at almost no notice, on sovereign states like Nigeria. One wonders why the Nigerian government has done/said nothing exceptr if it is acting in collusion with big oil companies and against its own laws!
This particular indivaidual has a reputation as being unfair, hard and biased. How does his boss allow this to happen? Maytbe its because he has allowed his great management skills to see his company to have fallen to one third of what it had in Cameroon 3 years ago. I expect the new owners of the company will be taking a long hard look at things like this.
Maybe its time somebody asked Exxon how people who don't really meet up with its Captain requirements are flying as captains for it? If any of the people who he has fired think they have a real case they should sue the company for constructive dismissal. However I know this is often difficult for people working on dodgy contracts for companies who are not the actual companies contracted. i.e. I know that for Bristow pilots in Africa they work for British Island Airways (Guernsey) and Schreiner pilots have to transfer to APRAM. Even these contracts are often easily exposed in European and American courts as the phonies they are to try and deprive pilots (and engineers) of their legal rights when they are working for European (and American) companies overseas. All those pilots working for Bristow in Nigeria and who were recently laid off because they were over the age of 57 at the instence of Mobil should consider a class action against either Bristow or OLOG or Mobil in the American, European or International courts and see what happens. After all,\Nigerian law currently permits pilolts to fly until the age of 65 and companies like Exxon/Mobil cannot be allowed to arbitrarily impose their own rules for no good reason,\ at almost no notice, on sovereign states like Nigeria. One wonders why the Nigerian government has done/said nothing exceptr if it is acting in collusion with big oil companies and against its own laws!
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Interesting, all that.
Sure comes across as ranting & raving by former employees with a chip on the proverbial shoulder. Not very professional, I must add. Then again, maybe that's why they left in the first place.
Being associated with this particular operation, and on the chance of looking like the defence counsel, I feel I have to put the record straight for a bit.
I happen to really enjoy my work, as well as my splendid collegues, including the elusive he-who-is-known-as-Crusty.
Us team-players tend to not pass judgement on what collegues do in their personal, free time. We tend to take those who professionally mess up aside, but we prefer to do so in-house, in a civilised way. Like over a drink.
All I can say is that within the confinements set by Dutch group headoffice and the African environment on the one hand and the various customers on the other hand, a pretty decent job is done.
There are issues of course, nobody is perfect, in true aviation spirit experience only comes with the ticket, and wherever people work together compromises are called for, with not surprisingly basic two-way communication remaining a major headache.
This operation is spread across four operating bases in two African countries, working basically for three different customers, with (tele)comms being a challenge. A high level of autonomy is called for, which some handle better than others.
Having had our fair share of non-compatible staff, it is interesting to note the various means these people seek to vent their frustration. Letters to ExxonMobil, postings on sites like this, what's next? A secretly positioned webcam?
We had a highly personable fellow who just could not fly, period. He was even sent to Flight Safety in an effort to boost his (claimed) long-forgotten skills, but of course failed that.
We had a pilot fly with us until his next medical: he left because he was color-blind and would only go to his physician in Canada.
Then there was a self-styled helicopter pilot, "Captain Buck", who refused to come around to our way of thinking, and left.
We had a pilot who flashed his ass to management not 2 days after arriving in country. We had been warned about this one...
A pilot trying to set up his own operation with a Schreiner customer, and was found out.
A pilot complaining of not flying enough, and then too much, only to not return from leave. No word, nothing.
A couple of I-do-not-know-what-I-want-to-do types, job-hopping, resigning, rejoining, resigning again....
Who did I forget? Answers on a postcard, please...
Then, some staff simply lost it. Incompatibility with the group or with the continent of Africa, professional problems, homefront problems, local girls, F&B, or a sweet cocktail of the ingredients mentioned before- they all left. This job is not for everybody.
Reference minimum standards: main customer ExxonMobil is fully in the loop on all operational matters, including licensing and requirements, through their own locally based Aviation Adviser ("he who audits most is surely remembered longest…").
Reference losing business: as with most projects of this size, project assets and staffing levels have gone up and down as laid out in the multi-year contract which called for set increases and reductions at certain intervals, further influenced by unforeseen project and economic realities.
With the limited information I have, I would argue that a lot was done in order to try and keep assets and staff on the projects, as is presently done in pursuit of new contracts.
Max.
Sure comes across as ranting & raving by former employees with a chip on the proverbial shoulder. Not very professional, I must add. Then again, maybe that's why they left in the first place.
Being associated with this particular operation, and on the chance of looking like the defence counsel, I feel I have to put the record straight for a bit.
I happen to really enjoy my work, as well as my splendid collegues, including the elusive he-who-is-known-as-Crusty.
Us team-players tend to not pass judgement on what collegues do in their personal, free time. We tend to take those who professionally mess up aside, but we prefer to do so in-house, in a civilised way. Like over a drink.
All I can say is that within the confinements set by Dutch group headoffice and the African environment on the one hand and the various customers on the other hand, a pretty decent job is done.
There are issues of course, nobody is perfect, in true aviation spirit experience only comes with the ticket, and wherever people work together compromises are called for, with not surprisingly basic two-way communication remaining a major headache.
This operation is spread across four operating bases in two African countries, working basically for three different customers, with (tele)comms being a challenge. A high level of autonomy is called for, which some handle better than others.
Having had our fair share of non-compatible staff, it is interesting to note the various means these people seek to vent their frustration. Letters to ExxonMobil, postings on sites like this, what's next? A secretly positioned webcam?
We had a highly personable fellow who just could not fly, period. He was even sent to Flight Safety in an effort to boost his (claimed) long-forgotten skills, but of course failed that.
We had a pilot fly with us until his next medical: he left because he was color-blind and would only go to his physician in Canada.
Then there was a self-styled helicopter pilot, "Captain Buck", who refused to come around to our way of thinking, and left.
We had a pilot who flashed his ass to management not 2 days after arriving in country. We had been warned about this one...
A pilot trying to set up his own operation with a Schreiner customer, and was found out.
A pilot complaining of not flying enough, and then too much, only to not return from leave. No word, nothing.
A couple of I-do-not-know-what-I-want-to-do types, job-hopping, resigning, rejoining, resigning again....
Who did I forget? Answers on a postcard, please...
Then, some staff simply lost it. Incompatibility with the group or with the continent of Africa, professional problems, homefront problems, local girls, F&B, or a sweet cocktail of the ingredients mentioned before- they all left. This job is not for everybody.
Reference minimum standards: main customer ExxonMobil is fully in the loop on all operational matters, including licensing and requirements, through their own locally based Aviation Adviser ("he who audits most is surely remembered longest…").
Reference losing business: as with most projects of this size, project assets and staffing levels have gone up and down as laid out in the multi-year contract which called for set increases and reductions at certain intervals, further influenced by unforeseen project and economic realities.
With the limited information I have, I would argue that a lot was done in order to try and keep assets and staff on the projects, as is presently done in pursuit of new contracts.
Max.
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I don't remember Crusty as being unfair or biased in the slightest. As to being hard, he was certainly no harder than any good manager needs to be.
Three years ago, when the numbers were presumably three times what they are now, there was an oil pipeline to be laid, and it was to be supported by Schreiner. That project is now finished, and, surprise surprise, the support is no longer needed. This is the reason the numbers have reduced.
Three years ago, when the numbers were presumably three times what they are now, there was an oil pipeline to be laid, and it was to be supported by Schreiner. That project is now finished, and, surprise surprise, the support is no longer needed. This is the reason the numbers have reduced.
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Aha,
The company is now revealed as Schreiner! It seems as if the management and their supporters are now replying.
Are you still there Mr Dolfin? Has this Crusty departed or is he now a softer person?
I see some ranting Mr Payload, but not too much raving! Why is this Crusty elusing you? Do youreally think taking someone who have messed up professionally aside for a chat over a drink is very professional? I quite see what you mean when talking of staffing levels going up and down, but if there is any substance in this talks of people being sacked when they have already quit maybe they have reason to be upset.
Mr Wind, do you have no more to say on this? You made some talks of rumors from 'friends' but why no more specific facts if there is some truth here? Ms Mangrove has already ask, but you have nothing to say to her. Maybe there is no smoke without a fire but give us a sight of the flames!!
Also, as Captain 69 says, can we still come to your parties - they sound intressting
The company is now revealed as Schreiner! It seems as if the management and their supporters are now replying.
Are you still there Mr Dolfin? Has this Crusty departed or is he now a softer person?
I see some ranting Mr Payload, but not too much raving! Why is this Crusty elusing you? Do youreally think taking someone who have messed up professionally aside for a chat over a drink is very professional? I quite see what you mean when talking of staffing levels going up and down, but if there is any substance in this talks of people being sacked when they have already quit maybe they have reason to be upset.
Mr Wind, do you have no more to say on this? You made some talks of rumors from 'friends' but why no more specific facts if there is some truth here? Ms Mangrove has already ask, but you have nothing to say to her. Maybe there is no smoke without a fire but give us a sight of the flames!!
Also, as Captain 69 says, can we still come to your parties - they sound intressting
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I think there's an element of all the above mentioned here.
From what I remember there were a lot of good people there, some of who enjoyed a good and full social life. As Max Payload says it's a good idea not to pass judgement on what other colleagues do in their spare time (in Africa as everywhere else in the world - it's just that as expatriates people spend more of there time off together than they would if working in their own countries)- after all, it's none of anybody else's business unless it interferes with work. Crusty was a good bloke socially but became a bit more of a Rottweiler after his promotion (as opposed to the Doberman who was there before). He never seemed particularly unfair - just very moody. It seems the manager who spent a lot of the day in the corner of the office known as 'the aquarium' was a bit too busy playing with his computers all day to make sure that his subordinates were good man managers. He certainly never had much to do with anyone on the operation and never managed to establish much of anything with the regulatory authorities there either. (Sorry if that's you I'm talking about Dolfin). At least he was always full of confidence that there were even greater things just down the road. But, it's just like Max Payload says, the contract was always going to be that the number of aircraft and people would go down as the pipeline got built, and there's not a lot of helicopter work in Cameroun. That may just be because nobody's ever really got out and done any marketing there - you can't just sit in an office and wait for the work to come to you.
There have certainly been some rather strange departures and some pilots were definitely driven out of the place by the way they were treated, but I never heard of anybody suing the company, so maybe there was more to their departures than we knew about. There were also, as Max Payload says, quite a few oddballs like you get on any operation in Africa, who were not caompatible with either the operation or the country. There was also a lot of crewroom talk for a while about promotion being gained in the bedroom, but it was just talk I guess, because there was an aviation adviser on site most of the time keeping an eye on things.
Africa has never been a place for the weak in spirit Phone Wind, and your advice about taking care before you think of going there applies to most of the countries on the continent. It's not for everyone, but there are always plenty who enjoy it. I don't think Cameroun is much different to any of the other countries in the region, except for this, it's brief moment of glory because a few guys felt they have something to get off their chests about it.
From what I remember there were a lot of good people there, some of who enjoyed a good and full social life. As Max Payload says it's a good idea not to pass judgement on what other colleagues do in their spare time (in Africa as everywhere else in the world - it's just that as expatriates people spend more of there time off together than they would if working in their own countries)- after all, it's none of anybody else's business unless it interferes with work. Crusty was a good bloke socially but became a bit more of a Rottweiler after his promotion (as opposed to the Doberman who was there before). He never seemed particularly unfair - just very moody. It seems the manager who spent a lot of the day in the corner of the office known as 'the aquarium' was a bit too busy playing with his computers all day to make sure that his subordinates were good man managers. He certainly never had much to do with anyone on the operation and never managed to establish much of anything with the regulatory authorities there either. (Sorry if that's you I'm talking about Dolfin). At least he was always full of confidence that there were even greater things just down the road. But, it's just like Max Payload says, the contract was always going to be that the number of aircraft and people would go down as the pipeline got built, and there's not a lot of helicopter work in Cameroun. That may just be because nobody's ever really got out and done any marketing there - you can't just sit in an office and wait for the work to come to you.
There have certainly been some rather strange departures and some pilots were definitely driven out of the place by the way they were treated, but I never heard of anybody suing the company, so maybe there was more to their departures than we knew about. There were also, as Max Payload says, quite a few oddballs like you get on any operation in Africa, who were not caompatible with either the operation or the country. There was also a lot of crewroom talk for a while about promotion being gained in the bedroom, but it was just talk I guess, because there was an aviation adviser on site most of the time keeping an eye on things.
Africa has never been a place for the weak in spirit Phone Wind, and your advice about taking care before you think of going there applies to most of the countries on the continent. It's not for everyone, but there are always plenty who enjoy it. I don't think Cameroun is much different to any of the other countries in the region, except for this, it's brief moment of glory because a few guys felt they have something to get off their chests about it.
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Max Payload,
Be very careful what you say about me on an open forum bubba.
You seem to have a nearly uniquely unidirectional view of what is happening where you are. If you send me your address I'll be pleased to send you my answers on a postcard as you ask.
Maybe you're the one whose thinking is out of line bud. Time will be the judge of that.
I reckon all of us is the slightest bit biased Dolfin. I guess you mean he's a pretty regular and fair sort of a guy, though I've heard some of the rumors about captains assessments. Guess if you're in a position to know, they aren't true and he's not biased in the slightest.
But then what do I know about anything huh? I have my own way of thinking. Good luck to all the guys out there. It sounds like your having a swell time.
Be very careful what you say about me on an open forum bubba.
You seem to have a nearly uniquely unidirectional view of what is happening where you are. If you send me your address I'll be pleased to send you my answers on a postcard as you ask.
Then there was a self-styled helicopter pilot, "Captain Buck", who refused to come around to our way of thinking, and left.
I don't remember Crusty as being unfair or biased in the slightest.
But then what do I know about anything huh? I have my own way of thinking. Good luck to all the guys out there. It sounds like your having a swell time.
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Excellent thread guys - keep it going but keep it nice please. I can't remember a thread with so many posts from so many folk with just a few posts to their names. Or maybe it's some of the old names choosing to post under a new nom de plume due to the sensitivity subject matter of this thread. Read the red warning at the bottom of this page - things are not always as they seem.
Cap'n Buck - you sleeps in the bed you make.
max payload - bring it on bubba; this is what this site's all about.
4HP
Cap'n Buck - you sleeps in the bed you make.
max payload - bring it on bubba; this is what this site's all about.
4HP
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So with CHC Intl now owning Shreiner do any of you think it will change at all, and if so for better or for worse.
I got some emails from friends who work for CHC in Norway and they said the morale there has taken a dive since the change of ownership in Norway, but not being there in person I wouldnt know personally.
Autorotate.
I got some emails from friends who work for CHC in Norway and they said the morale there has taken a dive since the change of ownership in Norway, but not being there in person I wouldnt know personally.
Autorotate.
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OK, for the 10,000th time! CHC International did NOT buy Schreiner, CHC-I is a division inthe CHC group. CHC corporate, the head honchos bought Schreiner, and will do with it as they see fit.
From what I've seen, corporate is in the business of running a business and leave the divisions to manage helicopter companies.
The biggest question is actually which division will get control of Africa, or will it stay in the hands of Hoofdorp?
From what I've seen, corporate is in the business of running a business and leave the divisions to manage helicopter companies.
The biggest question is actually which division will get control of Africa, or will it stay in the hands of Hoofdorp?
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Sorry bout dat. Put intl on there by mistake. I know its not Christine Baird and Brian Clegg's game.
From what I heard the "culture" of the operation has changed since becoming part of the big company.
Wouldnt it be logical for Africa to come under the banner of Jeremy and the boys in Cape Town since it is right in their backyard. ?
Autorotate.
From what I heard the "culture" of the operation has changed since becoming part of the big company.
Wouldnt it be logical for Africa to come under the banner of Jeremy and the boys in Cape Town since it is right in their backyard. ?
Autorotate.
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One of the things which may complicate who's division it comes under is that Schreiner is a minority6 shareholder in Aero Contractors Nigeria, the majority of the shares being owned by the Ibru family. They seem to have been quite happy to leave the operating of the company to Schreiner and may have a say in who they chose to deal with. Cameroon/Chad together is a pretty small operation and would seem a more likely candidate to fall under the control of Jeremy. However, with the different salaries being paid by CHC Africa and Schreiner, if that were to happen they may find a lot of the pilots in Cameroon wanting to transfer to Nigeria.
Has there been any indication yet whether Schreiner will continue to operate as it is and pay its own salaries? What's the record of CHC on leaving companies it has just taken over to continue operating as semi-independent entities?
Sorry, wandered off the actual thread a bit here, but although CHC has just bought Schreiner there seems to have been little information on PPRuNe as to what changes it is going to bring about for the guys in Schreiner (of mcourse it may just be that there really is very little information).
Max Payload. Good stuff. How are things in cameroon now after all the changes you've talked about? It's a place that until now we've not heard much about.
Has there been any indication yet whether Schreiner will continue to operate as it is and pay its own salaries? What's the record of CHC on leaving companies it has just taken over to continue operating as semi-independent entities?
Sorry, wandered off the actual thread a bit here, but although CHC has just bought Schreiner there seems to have been little information on PPRuNe as to what changes it is going to bring about for the guys in Schreiner (of mcourse it may just be that there really is very little information).
Max Payload. Good stuff. How are things in cameroon now after all the changes you've talked about? It's a place that until now we've not heard much about.
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4HP- thanks for the support mate, I'm still new at this.
Cap'n Buck- just like the old days in the Coast Guard: still charging ahead. Sorry if I've rustled your feathers a bit, mate.
HK still OK?
Dolfin- we should meet over a drink in the Akwa someday.
Anjouan- what can I say, sorry you've left.
Mama Mangrove- thanks, Cameroun is pretty quiet at the moment. Most of the present work is up in Tchad, which subsequently is where we spend most of our time on tour. There's talk of expanding into the Sudan, we'll see. Lots of oil keeps getting discovered.
The CHC takeover keeps everybody talking, all waiting to see what might or might not change this year. My take on the situation is that the actual operation will not change much, we'll continue operating as before, probably even under our own banner. Geographically this operation is huge, and CHC already has an operation in Malabo (SSG) so maybe CHC South Africa will move to Eq. Guinee or Cameroun? I've seen stranger things happen.
How's Nigeria? Have fun with the ex-Camerounians, don't believe all of it, living in Douala is not all that bad...
All- I said it before, and I'll say it again: I happen to really enjoy my work, as well as my splendid collegues, and Schreiner in Cameroun & Tchad might just be a better place than most to be puttering away into the wild blue African yonder.
Max.
Cap'n Buck- just like the old days in the Coast Guard: still charging ahead. Sorry if I've rustled your feathers a bit, mate.
HK still OK?
Dolfin- we should meet over a drink in the Akwa someday.
Anjouan- what can I say, sorry you've left.
Mama Mangrove- thanks, Cameroun is pretty quiet at the moment. Most of the present work is up in Tchad, which subsequently is where we spend most of our time on tour. There's talk of expanding into the Sudan, we'll see. Lots of oil keeps getting discovered.
The CHC takeover keeps everybody talking, all waiting to see what might or might not change this year. My take on the situation is that the actual operation will not change much, we'll continue operating as before, probably even under our own banner. Geographically this operation is huge, and CHC already has an operation in Malabo (SSG) so maybe CHC South Africa will move to Eq. Guinee or Cameroun? I've seen stranger things happen.
How's Nigeria? Have fun with the ex-Camerounians, don't believe all of it, living in Douala is not all that bad...
All- I said it before, and I'll say it again: I happen to really enjoy my work, as well as my splendid collegues, and Schreiner in Cameroun & Tchad might just be a better place than most to be puttering away into the wild blue African yonder.
Max.
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OK children, can we pick up our teddies, put them back in the pram and all go home now?
I too am associated with this operation and am not
.
Quite a number of the things alluded to happened before I joined and I can't comment other than to say that they're all rumours I've heard before. However, here are the facts about some of the individuals and events mentioned which have happened since I arrived.
Long before I arrived on the operation it was expected that it would eventually go down to only one helicopter and one fixed wing, on completion of all the work on the trans-Cameroun pipeline. What was not known was the date, how many pilots/engineers would be affected, or who those individuals would be. The management was trying to no avail to persuade the client to keep on one additional helicopter and its contract was extended several times, but it was (I believe) on one month's notice to finish and this was finally given at the end of last year. At that time the so-called
Chief Pilot asked for volunteers to transfer to other operations within the Schreiner group. He contacted both Holland and Nigeria and also tried to contact the management at CHC (our soon-to-be owners) to see if they had any vacancies and would be able to allow people the opportunity to transfer with no loss of seniority. A number of people volunteered and the process of transferring is underway with one pilot having already started duty in Nigeria. No fixed wing redundancies were necessary because the management managed to secure a new contract for the surplus Twin Otter.
The management in Cameroun is no better and no worse than the management of most of the companies for which I've worked - and considerably better than some. After all to (mis)quote an old philosopher from well before my time, "You can like some of the management all of the time and all of the management some of the time, but you can't like all of the management all of the time"! The nature of most overseas contracts is that the expatriates all work and live together and sometimes this causes problems when managers want to dictate how others can live. Our management and our accommodation in Cameroun allow us to lead our private lives privately.
The operation is manned by experienced and well-qualified professionals and our standards are constantly monitored by a semi-permanent client aviation advisor on-site.
Cameroun is only a small country with a small offshore oil industry and a few helicopters. May we now be allowed to fade quietly back out of the limelight and carry on enjoying our time in this delightful country?
I too am associated with this operation and am not
the management and their supporters
Quite a number of the things alluded to happened before I joined and I can't comment other than to say that they're all rumours I've heard before. However, here are the facts about some of the individuals and events mentioned which have happened since I arrived.
Long before I arrived on the operation it was expected that it would eventually go down to only one helicopter and one fixed wing, on completion of all the work on the trans-Cameroun pipeline. What was not known was the date, how many pilots/engineers would be affected, or who those individuals would be. The management was trying to no avail to persuade the client to keep on one additional helicopter and its contract was extended several times, but it was (I believe) on one month's notice to finish and this was finally given at the end of last year. At that time the so-called
unfair, hard and biased
The management in Cameroun is no better and no worse than the management of most of the companies for which I've worked - and considerably better than some. After all to (mis)quote an old philosopher from well before my time, "You can like some of the management all of the time and all of the management some of the time, but you can't like all of the management all of the time"! The nature of most overseas contracts is that the expatriates all work and live together and sometimes this causes problems when managers want to dictate how others can live. Our management and our accommodation in Cameroun allow us to lead our private lives privately.
The operation is manned by experienced and well-qualified professionals and our standards are constantly monitored by a semi-permanent client aviation advisor on-site.
Cameroun is only a small country with a small offshore oil industry and a few helicopters. May we now be allowed to fade quietly back out of the limelight and carry on enjoying our time in this delightful country?