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Old 5th Sep 2003, 20:57
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Smile Chc Info

I've posted this question earlier, but somehow it was missing important specifics. Here I re-formulate it in a more appropriate manner:
Does anybody have first hand intel on living conditions/pay/benefits/maint...etc for CHC bases like Thailand, North Sea, Africa. Does the company allow pilots to relocate the family (moving allowance) and is it even worth it?
In other words, are the jobs and the bases suitable only for the single adventurer type (we've all been there at one time or another) or are they considered good family bases?
Thank you.
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Old 5th Sep 2003, 22:37
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Talking traveller

I suggest keeping your family at home......away from the job location.

Their bases are widespread as you know and its more conducive for you to tour instead of trying for a living in country base. Just my opinion.

I did steady tours with them and enjoyed that. Now, remember, tours have the uncanny ability to get extended...something you may have to accept.

Just my two cents!

D.K
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Old 6th Sep 2003, 00:24
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You have asked about quite a variety of bases. You have also chosen bases in 3 different divisions, which for all intents and purposes operate as different corporate identities with unique payscales, benefits, etc. Most North Sea crews live there. In SE Asia they have both resident and touring positions. In Africa they all tour. More specific answers need more specific questions.
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Old 6th Sep 2003, 02:12
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Smile

Allright..let's start with Africa. How long do the tours last? Does the company provides transportation (Airline tickets)? How about an entry level salary? Health/dental Ins.? Loss of licence? 401K? Company pension plan? Living condition?
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Old 6th Sep 2003, 07:49
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In considering Thailand.....why ever would a feller want to be married accompanied there? Why with all the pollution, disease, political unrest, terrorist threats.....shortage of food, security, shopping.....all the unfriendly people and utter lack of western culture. I would not dream of submitting my beloved spouse to such living conditions.....not me, uh uh, not me. That is my story, mdear and I am certainly sticking to it! Even the hotel accomodation like the Grace, Na Na, Prince.....Hilton....all those dives...why it just would not be gentlemanly to expose Suggums to that. Nope!

Leave her in peace at home so she can enjoy the quilting bees...the Flower Club....Saturday morning yard sales.....yes...by all means...sacrifice yourself and go on a bachelor status contract.

One Man's Opinion!
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Old 6th Sep 2003, 17:55
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another perspective

Aquila105

Without responding re specific bases or countries - you mention “family” and the following comments really only apply if you are meaning “wife only”, or if your children are adults.

I am sure that Donut King and SASless meant well with their rather protective, overly cautious comments. Of course I’m not suggesting they are Victorian in their approach to this – certainly not! I am sure they are most “gentlemanly” and appropriate (at home AND away) – but where’s the belief in shared decision making? Do wives really want decisions “made for them?” Perhaps if they do, then DK & SASless picked it well.

However I would suggest some/many wives would rather be with their husbands, even in circumstances where there is “shortage of food, security, shopping”. If they go with eyes wide open, and are both well informed, then why not travel as a couple, provided company support is sufficient to make it practical. Of course each circumstance needs practical consideration, once you’re fairly well informed about the particular base for which you are heading.

Being in remote locations, especially those with an “utter lack of western culture” will provide experiences that can either be yours only and never really shared with your wife, or can be shared experiences. You and your wife are in the best position to decide whether or not going together is worth serious consideration. There is no easy answer.

SASless, what does the expression “the quilting bees” mean? “...the Flower Club....Saturday morning yard sales.....” You aren’t intentionally being just a tad provocative, are you?
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Old 7th Sep 2003, 08:06
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SASless,

Down, boy! Down!!
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Old 7th Sep 2003, 08:55
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Ah, the Nana hotel... sadly those days long since gone SASless, I've got a feeling we may have met before?
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Old 7th Sep 2003, 18:05
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Allright..let's start with Africa. How long do the tours last? Does the company provides transportation (Airline tickets)? How about an entry level salary? Health/dental Ins.? Loss of licence? 401K? Company pension plan? Living condition?
OK, here goes: 6 weeks on/off; yes, cheapest fair available; co-ey US$39000, cap US$51000; travel accident, no; yes, $100,000; no; no; generally good, sub-Saharan Africa though.

The division is CHC Africa, the remains of the not so recently acquired Court Helicopters. Dobbin sold off pretty everything that wasn't offshore. They have been growing and should be looking for people these days. Most of their work is on S76's and S61's with some B212 as well.

Ops Manager, Bob Denning
(021)936-4428
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Old 7th Sep 2003, 19:37
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Is this the same Denning who was in Aberdeen with Scotia?
What is he like to work for - I have heard many rumours.
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Old 7th Sep 2003, 22:11
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Heloteacher, thank you for the wealth of information.
Could you duplicate it for the North Sea?
Does the company cover relocation expenses for the family? Housing?
Are the benefits different from base to base (Scotia vs Ireland vs Norway etc..to compensate for the difference in cost of living?)How about an entry level salary?
Health/dental Ins.?
Loss of licence?
401K?
Company pension plan?
Living condition?
Also, would a FAA licence suffice?
Again, Thank you.
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Old 7th Sep 2003, 23:37
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I wish I had good info for Scotia, I'd be guessing about too much. I'll ask around some. For CHI, the Canadian division the answers are:

Co: $60,000ish ;Capt: $70,000ish (CAN$)
-normally copilots only hired if near captaincy
yes, yes
yes
no
yes
most bases very good
normally no, canadian req.
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Old 8th Sep 2003, 23:19
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Thumbs up

Allright HT, Thank you again.
One last post. Thailand.
Is the base in Bangok or a small village?
Do they provide housing for the family?
Does the company provide moving allowances?
How about an entry level salary?
Lenght of the hitch?
Health/dental Ins.?
Loss of licence?
401K?
Company pension plan?
Living condition?
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Old 9th Sep 2003, 01:30
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I believe most of the work is in SongKhla, supposed to be nice
it is a CHC-International base, run by Vancouver (Canada)
there are both resident and touring pilots/engineers
yes, there is a moving allowance for resident pilot/engineers, 2 year term


as I said, anyone I talked to loved the place

BTW: have you got 212 time?
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Old 9th Sep 2003, 07:27
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G'day CHC drivers,

I am just wondering if CHC Intl is looking for AS332L crews at the moment. Please drop me a line.

Cheers,

Chopper Jog
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Old 9th Sep 2003, 20:50
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About 710 hrs on 412 (FAR P 135 current) offshore.
What's the minimum qual's?
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Old 10th Sep 2003, 06:09
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Talking thailand

No 212'2 in Thailand.

I'd erase that off my license if I were you. All 76's and61's in Songkhla. Utapao as well....76's.

The 212's work the bush...errrr....jungle I mean. Unless you LIKE the jungle!!!!!!!!!!

One 212 in Saudi last I remember and the others in Burma and Africa....maybe South America.

Stick to the wheel equipped a/c if you get my drift!!!!!

Cheers!

D.K
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Old 10th Sep 2003, 06:11
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Donut King - Last time I visited Songhkla and saw dear old Ken, they had a 212 working out of Utupao, or has that changed.

Thought Iran also had a 212 working out of there.


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Old 10th Sep 2003, 12:27
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You could be right Auto.....

I've been away from Asia for a few months......contracts and a/c requirements change....... yet the faces stay the same.

Pretty sure the 212/412 is out of Saudi as I've checked with one of my buddies who did a few tours there.

Nevertheless, correct me if I'm wrong!

D.K
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