Bristow Caribbean, any information avail

[Magumba]

Gents,
Do any of you have any information on Bristow Caribbean? What they fly, good or bad operation, bases of operation. Any other info would be helpful too.
Thanks.

------------------
Keep your turns up!

[leading edge]

Bristow Caribbean is entirely a local operation in Trinidad with 3 Bell 212s working for Amoco as was and now BP/Amoco. Since OLOG bought 50% of Bristow in late 1996 or early 1997, many of Bristow's overseas operations are basically OLOG controlled although there is still some input from Redhill (albeit somewhat symbolic now) The Operations Manager at Redhill who is responsibe for Trinidad is John Black
44 (0) 1737 822 353 All employment will be dealt with by Redhill.

The only ex pat position is that of Managing Pilot. The current Managing Pilot is Jim Wilhite who is American but has a Bristow not OLOG background.

Without being negative, the chances are almost zero I'm afraid as it used to be a hotly sought after posting in Bristow and was sometimes given to those who had been good boys in Nigeria!

I hope this helps

[Geewhiz]

leading edge is correct in most but not all. BCL is a local operation, but most of the nationals are unassing for BWIA. They are running short of nationals and are currently soliciting for national copilots and cadets. There are currently six US ex-pats employed there, with any further solicitation of ex-pats from that side of the pond. The operation changed from a 56/28 rotation to a 6 day on/3 day off rotation almost two years ago. On 6/3 you would be required to provide your own housing locally. Base pay was cut, subsistence remains, and a meager "air fare in lieu" allowance tendered to ex-pats because Bristows doesn't pay for the former rotation in/out of country. 28 days annual leave with Bristows supplying the ticket out then. They have recently been making offers only for copilot positions.
The aircraft are the typical 30,000+ machines. Parts are ordered on an as-break basis. Engineering is entirely National.
The Caribbean is a wonderful place. If you're not at the bottom of the pond.
Would have put this up sooner but haven't been on for a while.

[King Air]

Hi guys,

Does anyone knows any info about Bristow China? What types of aircraft are they operate?

[Geewhiz]

King Air

Check with Captain Catastrophy. See the thread on "Malaysia buying 40 Mi-17s". Let us know what you find. But at this point I wouldn't recommend Bristow anywhere.

[leading edge]

Bristow operate 3 AS 332Ls in China as well as supervising 2 Chinese owned and opearted 332Ls.

The operation is a wet lease type with Bristow providing the North Sea type credibility and the Chinese(COHC) providing the local component. COHC have some British licenced Chinese pilots and the Britow pilots and engineers mix and match which aircraft they fly.

Rotation is 8 weeks on and 4 off. Air fares paid back to the UK. Salary is tax free and paid in Jersey. There is a small local per diem paid in local currency (HK$ or RMB).

Strong competition in Bristow to get there and only good boys get the slots.

Cyclic Hotline will give you more details, he works there although I believe that he is currently looking for an MI17 conversion!!

LE

[Cyclic Hotline]

Who, me?
Honestly, I have never worked in China in my life. I have nothing against China, seems to be a perfectly suitable place for the Chinese to live, they certainly appear to like it judging by the number of them living there!

I am led to understand there may be some openings there, as the Fixed Wing transition continues!

There certainly appear to be some question marks regarding the new "International" entity, as little questions like employment law, tenure, benefits and such like surface for the International employee.
Oh well, just the way it goes?
I have a little more on the Mi-17's, will post it next week, once I return from this current secret assignment! ;)

[leading edge]

Sorry Cyclic, I got you mixed up with Captain Catastrophy. I am sure that he will enlighten us with his knowledge of China operations when he gets back from his Mil 17 conversion!

Apologies again for the mix up.

LE

[King Air]

Thanks for the advices, In fact i am a chinese with the UK licence,Does anyone know the recruitment address for the Bristow in China?

[leading edge]

You will have to go through Bristow Redhill I'm afraid. The International ops Manager is John Black.

Bristow Helicopters Limited
Redhill Aerodrome
Redhill Surrey RHI 5JZ
UK

+44 (0) 1737 822353 tel
+44 (0) 1737 822694 fax

With your citizenship etc you may be better off contacting COHC direct in Shenzen but I don't have the numbers for them. They look for people during the Typhoon season and you might get to stay on.

Good luck

LE

[Captain Catastrophy]

King Air - contact me on ***@hotmail.com for info regarding work in China / Macau / Hong Kong.

[This message has been edited by Captain Catastrophy (edited 20 February 2000).]

[Captain Catastrophy]

Received Xie Xie ni



[This message has been edited by Captain Catastrophy (edited 20 February 2000).]

[TP]

Guys...you'll find that the only Brits in China are all 'trainers'. Like Trinidad, there are countless guys of 10 yrs seniority plus at ABZ who'd jump at the chance...you wouldn't get a look in!!

[King Air]

IS that mean even the local chinese pilot cannot get in?

[pigscouldfly]

looking for any imformation on bristow caribean , work conditions , living expenses , anything !

[spinwing]

Mmmm ...

And what about the ridiculous cost of living?


:E

[griffothefog]

...and the crap pay, which means you cannot afford decent digs which are in very short supply anyway... Don't mention time off either unless you are smiling when you do!!!:ok:

[SASless]

Hang on Griffo.....they recently went to 8/4 rosters. Plus you even get time off after flying nights or being on night standby. Ace moved to the Middle East and Still Bright is in charge (or was).

The pay is getting better.....as it could not get much worse.

The Caribe Beer is still good and cheap....the girls are pretty....what else could a guy ask for out of life?

[griffothefog]

Pleased to hear about the improvements... What's the story with accomodation if they're on 8/4?

[SASless]

Why does one need to live in a gated community?

[wazz'n'zoom]

Rumour Network Jungle Drums has it that AWestland/FBH consortium has won the contract out there from Bristows. Any further info from the insiders?? I could do with a change of scenary!!

[tottigol]

SAS, to avoid the ever spreading kidnap phenomenon.

[ArmyIssue]

I'm trying to get some (any!) information on flying for Bristow in the Caribbean. I had heard that some of the guys from Trinidad might be on here, and I would love to pick your brain about flying there!

[ArmyIssue]

Okay, I realize I'm going to open myself up to some harsh barbs with this (stupid) question, but here goes.

I recently saw a job posting for Bristow that showed the salary as $6600USD. Here's the stupid part: is that per month, or per year?

Okay, fire away! :ouch:

[leading edge]

Army Issue

Erm.......that's a hard one but ........probably per month.

[flysmart2]

6600 US$ start basic pay for IFR captain, plus 1100 US$ housing allowance ( if applicable ) on a 56 days on 28 days off rotation...
paid monthly :ok:.

Cheers

PS: By the way they are on a hiring freeze ......