What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Nigerian In Law
What's Going On ??
Speaking of S-92s and the like, what happened/is happening with the big contract for all these new aircraft that haven't appeared yet ? It all seems to have gone quiet.
onwings,
I think it's on an "as required" basis, ie they go in groups when they are needed and there is a course running.
NEO
onwings,
I think it's on an "as required" basis, ie they go in groups when they are needed and there is a course running.
NEO
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carholme,
You're probably right, but CHC seem to understand it less than any company I've ever met here
. It's the sheer arrogance of their 'we know it all, we know best' attitude despite talking about adopting best practices from the companies they take over. They were the same in Sudan, Cameroon and Chad and haven't they done well there 
.
NEO,
The only thing which isn't quiet is your lovely Bristow song - how does it go? 'The thing I like about the Bristow group, is they communicate, they keep you in the loop"
Still, I'm sure the replacement for the Great Communicator, Mr Neddy Holdoff will let everyone know exactly what's happening as soon as he arrives (and I'm sure you know when that is too 
). Never mind, as long as The Majah is there everything will somehow stay together (he is still there isn't he - I believe he starts drawing his old age pension shortly?).
Are your 92s still coming? CHC actually has people qualified on the EC225 now and that's been done in an entirely fair manner too, which has ensured even more staff loyalty. I'm sure the new French pilots who just left the military about 10 minutes ago will be made most welcome by those who, after 15 years on the Dauphin have no desire to move on to a modern helicopter which might mean moving from the freedom and great housing of Areta to Lagos
You're probably right, but CHC seem to understand it less than any company I've ever met here
. It's the sheer arrogance of their 'we know it all, we know best' attitude despite talking about adopting best practices from the companies they take over. They were the same in Sudan, Cameroon and Chad and haven't they done well there .NEO,
The only thing which isn't quiet is your lovely Bristow song - how does it go? 'The thing I like about the Bristow group, is they communicate, they keep you in the loop"
Still, I'm sure the replacement for the Great Communicator, Mr Neddy Holdoff will let everyone know exactly what's happening as soon as he arrives (and I'm sure you know when that is too ). Never mind, as long as The Majah is there everything will somehow stay together (he is still there isn't he - I believe he starts drawing his old age pension shortly?).Are your 92s still coming? CHC actually has people qualified on the EC225 now and that's been done in an entirely fair manner too, which has ensured even more staff loyalty. I'm sure the new French pilots who just left the military about 10 minutes ago will be made most welcome by those who, after 15 years on the Dauphin have no desire to move on to a modern helicopter which might mean moving from the freedom and great housing of Areta to Lagos
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CHC Helicopter Damaged in Training Accident at Bonny
A CHC Dauphin landed short of the runway whilst carrying out training at Bonny airstrip last week. This caused the undercarriage to collapse and the aircraft was severely damaged. Luckily, there were no injuries and the damaged aircraft has now been recovered to the NAF Base, Port Harcourt.
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Disaster Control Exercise
I just can't believe some of the stuff you guys come out with! 
One of our helicopters which was scheduled for scrap was carrying out a pre-planned disaster-control and deep-maintenance repair exercise last week. They successfully carried out a disaster exercise in which the helicopter was severely damaged without loss of life and we now have the opportunity of seeing if the massive supply of spares from our reliable supplier, Heli One, will be enough to carry out the repair work without recourse to outside suppliers. The whole repair will be a beneficial training exercise to our many trainee mechanics. So, far from being the total disaster which has been portrayed, the whole affair has been another fantastic CHC success which has achieved all its pre-planned goals and further enhanced our reputation for excellent management and training philosophy 
One of our helicopters which was scheduled for scrap was carrying out a pre-planned disaster-control and deep-maintenance repair exercise last week. They successfully carried out a disaster exercise in which the helicopter was severely damaged without loss of life and we now have the opportunity of seeing if the massive supply of spares from our reliable supplier, Heli One, will be enough to carry out the repair work without recourse to outside suppliers. The whole repair will be a beneficial training exercise to our many trainee mechanics. So, far from being the total disaster which has been portrayed, the whole affair has been another fantastic CHC success which has achieved all its pre-planned goals and further enhanced our reputation for excellent management and training philosophy
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Froggy,
Surely you mean the old Aero paint scheme. I believe Chief Ibru was most upset that CHC had the nerve to change the paint scheme of HIS company without first clearing it with him
Are you going to be one of those flying the 225?
Surely you mean the old Aero paint scheme
. I believe Chief Ibru was most upset that CHC had the nerve to change the paint scheme of HIS company without first clearing it with him Are you going to be one of those flying the 225?
Nigerian In Law
Phone,
Like all of us, whether CHC or Bristow, I am a mushroom; fed on s**t and kept in the dark !!
One thing of which I am certain is that if things don't change soon the exodus will start. This time it won't be to either company in Nigeria, it'll be elsewhere. The market is growing every day.
NEO
Like all of us, whether CHC or Bristow, I am a mushroom; fed on s**t and kept in the dark !!
One thing of which I am certain is that if things don't change soon the exodus will start. This time it won't be to either company in Nigeria, it'll be elsewhere. The market is growing every day.
NEO
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Have you been holding out on us?
NEO, I never knew you used semi-colons! Have you been reading books or what? I never saw any of them in a POH, that is for sure.
Whatever next; clams have legs?
Whatever next; clams have legs?
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The Exodus Has Started
NEO,
I think the exodus has already started with some of your expat pilots already going back even to lousy companies like ADA (a pretty telling sign if even ADA is viewed as better than Bristow). Even your Nigerian pilots are leaving and with pay increasing in Australia it won't be too long before some of your Antipodeans think long and hard about going back there.
You're quite right, there are many more jobs now and better alternatives to Nigeria are opening up. You're also absolutely right that in all companies, the majority of employees are treated like mushrooms - is it any wonder that for most, company loyalty beyond the next paycheque is an obsolete concept?
I think the exodus has already started with some of your expat pilots already going back even to lousy companies like ADA (a pretty telling sign if even ADA is viewed as better than Bristow). Even your Nigerian pilots are leaving and with pay increasing in Australia it won't be too long before some of your Antipodeans think long and hard about going back there.
You're quite right, there are many more jobs now and better alternatives to Nigeria are opening up. You're also absolutely right that in all companies, the majority of employees are treated like mushrooms - is it any wonder that for most, company loyalty beyond the next paycheque is an obsolete concept?
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For sure, Clams got legs!
chuks,
For sure they do! Did you never see Johnny Hart's comic strip, BC? It is populated with little cave man characters, one of whom is always trying to catch clams moving from one place to another. He knows they move but they are always lying still when he sees them. His hypothesis is that clams have legs. His chosen mission is to catch one in motion so he can tell the world that 'Clams got legs!!!'.
For sure they do! Did you never see Johnny Hart's comic strip, BC? It is populated with little cave man characters, one of whom is always trying to catch clams moving from one place to another. He knows they move but they are always lying still when he sees them. His hypothesis is that clams have legs. His chosen mission is to catch one in motion so he can tell the world that 'Clams got legs!!!'.
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Say what?
Next you will be telling me that we have adult leaders, I suppose...
I am old enough to remember that one alright. When Wiley finally saw that clams have legs one clam said to another, "Now we have to kill him."
Never mind the clams for now, what about NEO knowing about semi-colons, when he was posing as "one of us"? He is definitely up to something, but what?
Has anyone seen him hanging around the generator ? Has he loosened the tie-downs and put a sling up topside? THE END IS NEAR!
I am old enough to remember that one alright. When Wiley finally saw that clams have legs one clam said to another, "Now we have to kill him."
Never mind the clams for now, what about NEO knowing about semi-colons, when he was posing as "one of us"? He is definitely up to something, but what?
Has anyone seen him hanging around the generator ? Has he loosened the tie-downs and put a sling up topside? THE END IS NEAR!
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Be Careful in PH the second week of April
The militant community leader and leader of the NDVM, Tom Ateke, who helped in rigging a number of gubernatorial elections has a record of actually fulfilling his promises. here's an excerpt from his latest press release:
Ateke is known for his ability to follow through on his threats, so Keep a good eye open and don't take any chances down there in PH next week.
Worried by the consistent threats by Gov. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the Governor of Rivers state to get him arrested and prosecute him for his past atrocities, the leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Movement (NDVM) Ateke Tom, has replied the Governor by saying that, he will soon launch persistent bombardment in Port Harcourt city from second week of April 2008.
He stated that this is going to be very devastating in nature and more dangerous than the previous ones and their main target is the "Brick House" referring to the Rivers state government house with the intention to capture Gov. Rotimi Amaechi alive.
Ateke Tom, who spoke with our correspondent in Port Harcourt on telephone threatened to go on with his initial threat (which he considered dropping) of deploying, over 2000 suicide bombers around Diobu area of Port Harcourt and its environs very soon, and passionately pleaded with children and aged mothers to please stay in-doors during the period to avoid being hit by stray bullets.
He also stated that this had become necessary as his initial decision to toe the path of peace and stop violence was being rubbished by the Amaechi-led government, as if he was nobody in the state, saying, "I, Ateke Tom made Dr. Peter Odili and Mr. Rotimi Amaechi in 1999 when they were nobody".
He stated that this is going to be very devastating in nature and more dangerous than the previous ones and their main target is the "Brick House" referring to the Rivers state government house with the intention to capture Gov. Rotimi Amaechi alive.
Ateke Tom, who spoke with our correspondent in Port Harcourt on telephone threatened to go on with his initial threat (which he considered dropping) of deploying, over 2000 suicide bombers around Diobu area of Port Harcourt and its environs very soon, and passionately pleaded with children and aged mothers to please stay in-doors during the period to avoid being hit by stray bullets.
He also stated that this had become necessary as his initial decision to toe the path of peace and stop violence was being rubbished by the Amaechi-led government, as if he was nobody in the state, saying, "I, Ateke Tom made Dr. Peter Odili and Mr. Rotimi Amaechi in 1999 when they were nobody".
Nigerian In Law
I Did Not !!
Did I ? I have a colon, at least until it gets diagnosed with a horrible condition. But USE one, even a semi one ? Never ! I weren't brung up to use them thar things.
With the Ozzies starting on their way, people going (God Forbid Bad Thing) fixed wing and yes, even to ADA things will fall apart quickly if conditions don't improve.
People are just getting weary and stir crazy.
End of story.
NEO
With the Ozzies starting on their way, people going (God Forbid Bad Thing) fixed wing and yes, even to ADA things will fall apart quickly if conditions don't improve.
People are just getting weary and stir crazy.
End of story.
NEO
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NEO,
What causes dis stir crazy thing nah? Is it the price of alcohol in the hotel that's making them to drink tea and stirring sugar and milk all the time:the small, cramped quarters which is making them have to do 2,000 circuits a night of their rooms: the moving of the heads every which-way looking for bad men when in the convoy?
You know the title of the old Chinua Achebe book; "Things Fall Apart". Looks as if Bristow management need to start managing - oh but wait, do they have any? Has the new MD arrived yet? I expect he'll be on the promise of a big share of the profits, so he'll be looking at even more things to cut to the bone. But that's been done already hasn't it? I wonder how he's going to get his big bonus before he too takes off to greener pastures with all the yanqui $$$$$$$ he's made, leaving behind another crock of manure for the next guy to turn over.
What causes dis stir crazy thing nah? Is it the price of alcohol in the hotel that's making them to drink tea and stirring sugar and milk all the time:the small, cramped quarters which is making them have to do 2,000 circuits a night of their rooms: the moving of the heads every which-way looking for bad men when in the convoy?
You know the title of the old Chinua Achebe book; "Things Fall Apart". Looks as if Bristow management need to start managing - oh but wait, do they have any? Has the new MD arrived yet? I expect he'll be on the promise of a big share of the profits, so he'll be looking at even more things to cut to the bone. But that's been done already hasn't it? I wonder how he's going to get his big bonus before he too takes off to greener pastures with all the yanqui $$$$$$$ he's made, leaving behind another crock of manure for the next guy to turn over.
My dear fellow....merely because the Bristow Management (in Abstentia) fails to run the organization in the manner you think fit does not in any way suggest they know not what they are doing. Every Manager worth his pay will find fat that needs trimming. As time has progressed and company funds have been spent like there was no end to it....and a new Manager (assuming they can find his hiding place and load him up on an airplane) can only be expected to put his mark on things.
Surely, the old sage hands like PeeWee and the Majah are desparately keeping things running in the absence of yet another outsider so perhaps one should give them far more credit. Despite the fact the longer the old structure and staff remain in control, the worse things get is not a lick on them nor should it be. After all, they have the coalface gang's best interests at heart. Surely, you could not consider they should give up their private autos and chaffuers to mere working class? Why, some of you probably envy them their Business Class or First Class seats on the flights into and out of Lagos. Why would anyone complain of riding in the top shelf company pickup trucks as it provides a wonderful opportunity to see how the ordinary Nigerian lives and works. I would assume they have also shown solidarity with the the folks that pass through the BRC by taking up accomodation in the housing blocks and share the comradiary of shared rooms and baths rather than remaining all lonely and bored in the management apartments or offsite digs.
Since reading this thread for the past year or so....I think ye protest too much! Nothing would satisfy you......in time I know with the dedicated management extant....that is exactly what you will have and happiness will reign. Perhaps you will later consider rebating your local allowances when you begin to feel guilty for taking those enormous sums and spending it on whisky and women as you do now.
So NEO, Etienne, and the rest.....admit it....you have never had life so good!
Surely, the old sage hands like PeeWee and the Majah are desparately keeping things running in the absence of yet another outsider so perhaps one should give them far more credit. Despite the fact the longer the old structure and staff remain in control, the worse things get is not a lick on them nor should it be. After all, they have the coalface gang's best interests at heart. Surely, you could not consider they should give up their private autos and chaffuers to mere working class? Why, some of you probably envy them their Business Class or First Class seats on the flights into and out of Lagos. Why would anyone complain of riding in the top shelf company pickup trucks as it provides a wonderful opportunity to see how the ordinary Nigerian lives and works. I would assume they have also shown solidarity with the the folks that pass through the BRC by taking up accomodation in the housing blocks and share the comradiary of shared rooms and baths rather than remaining all lonely and bored in the management apartments or offsite digs.
Since reading this thread for the past year or so....I think ye protest too much! Nothing would satisfy you......in time I know with the dedicated management extant....that is exactly what you will have and happiness will reign. Perhaps you will later consider rebating your local allowances when you begin to feel guilty for taking those enormous sums and spending it on whisky and women as you do now.
So NEO, Etienne, and the rest.....admit it....you have never had life so good!
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SAS,
You're getting out of touch! The management has already forcibly rebated the local allowances on several operations, which has already led to at least one pilot returning to ADA and others to think of joining him
You're getting out of touch! The management has already forcibly rebated the local allowances on several operations, which has already led to at least one pilot returning to ADA and others to think of joining him
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What are you up to,
really?
In post Number 2306 someone or other going by the handle of "NEO" can be seen flaunting the use of a semi-colon, correctly even if we grant that what follows it is a sentence and not a sentence fragment.
Whatever next, breathing through your nostrils instead of just your mouth? This sort of uppityness is sure to bring nemesis in its wake.
I plan to stay humble, great as I am. No, sorry, make that, "We plan to stay humble, great as we are." That reads better, doesn't it?
We did the "glass cockpit experience." We did the (Acting) Deputy Chief Pilot. We did the "downrange at the target practice," even. We has beeeeen up on de mountain and we has seeeen de Promised Land. Unfortunately it seems to have been promised to someone else, so that I am back where I started as a bush pilot. Bah! Well, at least it's still fixed-wing, eh? It could be worse...
Are you sure that you can sling a generator under a B-412? Just asking, mind you.
In post Number 2306 someone or other going by the handle of "NEO" can be seen flaunting the use of a semi-colon, correctly even if we grant that what follows it is a sentence and not a sentence fragment.
Whatever next, breathing through your nostrils instead of just your mouth? This sort of uppityness is sure to bring nemesis in its wake.
I plan to stay humble, great as I am. No, sorry, make that, "We plan to stay humble, great as we are." That reads better, doesn't it?
We did the "glass cockpit experience." We did the (Acting) Deputy Chief Pilot. We did the "downrange at the target practice," even. We has beeeeen up on de mountain and we has seeeen de Promised Land. Unfortunately it seems to have been promised to someone else, so that I am back where I started as a bush pilot. Bah! Well, at least it's still fixed-wing, eh? It could be worse...
Are you sure that you can sling a generator under a B-412? Just asking, mind you.
Now Chuks old fellow....(operative word being "old"!)....NEO will never leave the warm loving embrace of life in Nigeria. Even if Bristow pulled up stakes or otherwise folded their tent....NEO would leave flying and probably open up a roadside bar as you see with a chalked plywood sign showing "Chop is Ready" and set his sights on the local Chief's job.
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Man mus wack?
Yeah, but first he's off to Fernando Po to flog the generator for start-up funds, right? "Late model, low hours, always garaged, never used in the rain, owned by a deeply religious little old lady who only turned it on to watch Benny Hinn on Sundays, you can trust me I'm a pilot..."
Yeah, I could see that one. Tip-top container bar lit by the glowing fluorescent tubes with the green slip-on covers, the plastic tables covered in plaid-print PVC and those white plastic chairs that teeter as you drink and occasionally dump you on your ass.
A band consisting of one tone-deaf delinquent with a stolen electric guitar and a fat lady belting out the hits of the Seventies.
Decor, uh, well, windows cut in the sides of the container with an acetylene torch affording a view of stuff you really wouldn't want to look too closely at.
Special customers get the little pasteboard squares to put atop the glasses that keep the flies out of the beer.
Gulder, Star, Harp, and Champion the Wonder Beer, along with the usual range of "hot drinks" from Crown Royal to Ogogoro served up by nubile, dusky beauties who look good to start with and absolutely marriageable later through beer goggles.
Monkey pepper soup and suya for those who have not yet got to the stage of being able to live from metabolising the alcohol they imbibe.
NEO, always ahead of the game, has already got this one mapped out. Bet on it!
Yeah, I could see that one. Tip-top container bar lit by the glowing fluorescent tubes with the green slip-on covers, the plastic tables covered in plaid-print PVC and those white plastic chairs that teeter as you drink and occasionally dump you on your ass.
A band consisting of one tone-deaf delinquent with a stolen electric guitar and a fat lady belting out the hits of the Seventies.
Decor, uh, well, windows cut in the sides of the container with an acetylene torch affording a view of stuff you really wouldn't want to look too closely at.
Special customers get the little pasteboard squares to put atop the glasses that keep the flies out of the beer.
Gulder, Star, Harp, and Champion the Wonder Beer, along with the usual range of "hot drinks" from Crown Royal to Ogogoro served up by nubile, dusky beauties who look good to start with and absolutely marriageable later through beer goggles.
Monkey pepper soup and suya for those who have not yet got to the stage of being able to live from metabolising the alcohol they imbibe.
NEO, always ahead of the game, has already got this one mapped out. Bet on it!
Chuks,
Sounds to me you have your retirement plan all thought out and are ready for your return to Nigeria.
You and NEO should go into business together and then you can even do a 4 weeks on 4 weeks off roster, maybe even with SASless as a silent partner (if that could ever be possible).
Ofcourse special discounts for current or ex Bristow chaps, after all you got to take into account the low CLA is they need to exist on.
Greetings,
Finalchecksplease
Sounds to me you have your retirement plan all thought out and are ready for your return to Nigeria.
You and NEO should go into business together and then you can even do a 4 weeks on 4 weeks off roster, maybe even with SASless as a silent partner (if that could ever be possible).
Ofcourse special discounts for current or ex Bristow chaps, after all you got to take into account the low CLA is they need to exist on.
Greetings,
Finalchecksplease