CHC vs. Bristow

[inputshaft]

I know there have been many thoughts on this subject on the "West Africa" thread for some time now. However, just to bring it all together, if you were a heavy helicopter offshore pilot looking for international (not North Sea) work at this moment in time, who would you pick: CHC or Bristow?

I'd be especially interested in comments from any pilots you have recently made the jump, one way or the other. Is the grass greener after your move?
Thanks

[helipedro]

If the Heavy oddshore pilot was "really heavy ";);)I would suggest perhaps a Company operating at least S-92

[MamaPut]

There are quite a lot of 'Heavy' offshore pilots here at the moment, possibly because of the curfew and the lack of suitable facilities for exercise, especially on Areta :E. Some pilots have even received a 'fat' letter from the NCAA saying that they have an excessive BMI for their height, classifying them as obese and requiring them to have extra tests, especially for blood sugar levels and predisposition to diabetes at their next medical :uhoh:

CHC probably has a better additional benefits package for its pilots at present, but Bristow is a bit better in overall remuneration. For example, despite what CHC management are telling their pilots, a year 14 offshore Captain with CHC earns about the same as a year 5 Captain with Bristow. Year 14 is the maximum seniority with CHC, whilst Bristow goes on to year 25. With CHC there are monthly procedures to claim pay, which doesn't arrive until around the 15th of the next month and whilst on leave, only basic salary is paid. With Bristow one twelfth of the annual salary is paid in automatically on the last working day of the month. Both companies have a pension scheme. With CHC the company will match up to 4% of what the employee pays in, whilst with Bristow it's up to 7%. If an employee leaves the CHC scheme before 2 years he only gets back his own contributions with any interest, with Bristow he gets back both his and the employers. Both companies offer personal accident insurance and a medical insurance (in some cases for the family as well). Both companies will now offer either a 6/6 or 8/4 touring package, though in the case of Bristow the extra amount for 8/4 is pathetic, which is why most employees gave it the cold shoulder last year.

CHC, additionally offers loss of licence insurance, gives company uniforms (rather than the paltry equivalent of around $120 per year Bristow offer), a shoe allowance, interest-free loan to buy a computer and an advance of expenses so that if you have to make a credit card purchase you're not out of pocket on interest payments. CHC will additionally pay for an annual lounge pass so that you can access business lounges in most airports even if you only have a basic frequent flyer card. Both companies pay basic economy class tickets. CHC pays in $CAD to whichever bank you want, Bristow pays in $US to NatWest in Jersey.

When it comes to accomodation in Nigeria, Bristow wins hands down. CHC live an an old estate with few facilities in Port Harcourt. Even the new internet connection is garbage. There are few sporting facilities. They have tried to modernise the houses and done a reasonable job, but they need constant maintenance. They have been talking of the move to the new 'Death Camp' for so long now, and it will take so long to complete that many of the older pilots they have will probably have passed on many years before it's completed!! With Bristow, facilities depend on which of their several bases you're on. The BRC in Lagos, whilst old and shabby, is still better than the CHC housing on the GRA. Shell housing in Lagos (Snake Island), Warri and Port Harcourt is pretty good with swimming pools, tennis courts, squash, multi gymns and (Warri) a golf course. Eket pilots now live in a hotel which is not bad, but has no swimming pool and limited exercise facilities. Escravos is much better than it was and lacks a pool, but the rooms are good. The camp for Warri Texaco pilots has good rooms and all facilities. Calabar is a bit old and run down, but is a relatively peaceful place.

Bristow has some older helicopters, particularly its elderly basic Bell 412s, Super Pumas and S76A++s and CHC has a couple of elderly SA365Ns and N2s, but both companies have a reasonable number of newer SA365N3s, EC155s, Bell 412EPs, S76C+ and C++s, AW139s and Bell 407s. Either company could very soon be operating new S92s or EC225s.

You pays your money and you takes your choice. Probably worth hanging on to see if Bristow actually make less of a cock-up of introducing any new salary package this year or if BC is capable of keeping a promise with CHC for once. My advice would be to wait another month or two, see what the new Bristow deal is and whether CHC make a second adjustment this year :ok:

[CH274]

MamaPut,

Good post!:ok: Informative

[cavertonmanagement]

Bristow, CHC? For the true international flavor come to the Nigerian company everyone is talking about. Our world center for helicopter excellence sets the standard all the others try to follow, but with the superb qualifications from universities daddy and I have, none even come close. This dung flinging pilot has obviously never been to one of our warm, friendly country's many holiday centres in the Delta, sipping a delicious palm wine on a sandy tropical beach while the palm trees wave gently in the breeze. We also have beautiful mountain resorts with such modern facilities as cabel car, luxury hotel and ice-cold Gulder to freshen the palate after a day of trekking and viewing the many wildlifes in the area.
Our salaries are absolutely the toppest in the business and our superb 4/1 roster gives even more time for revilling in the delights of the African giant. No need to jump, when you work for us it will be the last job you'll ever want. Come on out and join the world-beating time right now, now :ok: