What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
1972....Republic of Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso)...Evergreen Helicopters
Made collect (reverse charge) telephone call to McMinnville, Oregon....Evergreen Payroll Department.....charges accepted...query re past three months pay....to be told...."We don't give that information out over the telephone!" As if they did not know who was calling collect from Bobo-Dioulasso, Republic of Upper Volta!
Got transferred to the Chief Pilot....name of Larry Vineyard....explained situation....three months on the job and no information re pay since hire....to be told...."...as payroll department correctly stated...we don't give that information out on the telephone!".
Does this kind of attitude sound like familiar in Nigeria?
Surprise visit paid to Chief Pilot's Office using my retained unused "Open" return ticket....confirmed I had been paid in full.....then elected to remain at home vice return to Bobo-Dioulasso.
Evergreen could not understand why I had such poor faith in them and their concern for the working staff.
Made collect (reverse charge) telephone call to McMinnville, Oregon....Evergreen Payroll Department.....charges accepted...query re past three months pay....to be told...."We don't give that information out over the telephone!" As if they did not know who was calling collect from Bobo-Dioulasso, Republic of Upper Volta!
Got transferred to the Chief Pilot....name of Larry Vineyard....explained situation....three months on the job and no information re pay since hire....to be told...."...as payroll department correctly stated...we don't give that information out on the telephone!".
Does this kind of attitude sound like familiar in Nigeria?
Surprise visit paid to Chief Pilot's Office using my retained unused "Open" return ticket....confirmed I had been paid in full.....then elected to remain at home vice return to Bobo-Dioulasso.
Evergreen could not understand why I had such poor faith in them and their concern for the working staff.
I Try To Be Good !!
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Tokunbo,
I reckon you're dead on the nail. ADA has the advantage of a life after the blades stop but no private medical, no sickness benefit, no insurance and so on. How much is that worth to an ageing workforce with more frequent need of a quick referral ? If you went there on 8/4 you'd make around the same as a guy on 6/6 here.
The pay review has been taken stoically here, it's the CLA that has really p**sed everyone off.
As NEO said we will have to wait and see if anyone feels strongly enough to pull the ripcord. But I doubt there will be many, if any.
I reckon you're dead on the nail. ADA has the advantage of a life after the blades stop but no private medical, no sickness benefit, no insurance and so on. How much is that worth to an ageing workforce with more frequent need of a quick referral ? If you went there on 8/4 you'd make around the same as a guy on 6/6 here.
The pay review has been taken stoically here, it's the CLA that has really p**sed everyone off.
As NEO said we will have to wait and see if anyone feels strongly enough to pull the ripcord. But I doubt there will be many, if any.
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COBI what COBI
It seems the BHNL leadership (I use the term loosely) is forcing their workforce into using black market sources to change money. This is not legal in Nigeria and is therefore against COBI.
They will argue that they are not forcing anyone as they should use official exchange routes.
Now we are in LALA land.
It may be possible for an MD or OM to send his driver to a bank but, those staying in Stallag Luft 12 in Eket can forget it.
Maybe some of them should spend more time in their pools in Florida and let someone run the company properly.
COBI (code of bussiness integrity)
PS I won't be back.
They will argue that they are not forcing anyone as they should use official exchange routes.
Now we are in LALA land.
It may be possible for an MD or OM to send his driver to a bank but, those staying in Stallag Luft 12 in Eket can forget it.
Maybe some of them should spend more time in their pools in Florida and let someone run the company properly.
COBI (code of bussiness integrity)
PS I won't be back.
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You guys just have no idea of the broader picture. If we had the Agbami contract we'd be able to afford you overpaid whiners, but we don't, so live with it. You only come out here for 6 weeks and in most bases you're fed, so what are you getting CLA for anyway? Just to stop you whining so much is what. If you need to buy food, change money at the airport when you arrive - what do you expect - an ATM at every base? Whaddaya mean why can't you have the money in cash like before? You guys never listen to what you're told about the perfectly reasonable explanation we gave you about tax and business integrity. It's about time we started cracking the whip. Nobody's been kidnapped for a long time, ADA is still short of pilots who haven't left Bristow despite all the horse dung posted here by a bunch of malcontents. We have enough people and that's what shows the truth of the matter - most people are perfectly happy. We have a stack of applications from pilots in Third World countries who'd be glad to make as many greenbacks as we pay you. We have a whole heap of them already and our accident rate hasn't gone up, so stop whining about falling standards.
It's costing us a fortune to keep you guys in secure camps when the hijack threat is negligible, so we're cutting back on security consultants and having them all based here in Lagos where they're needed. The drivers and junior staff were just a drag on our resources which is why we sacked them and outsourced the work to local contractors. We're not a bleeding hearts charity and if they're on a worse deal now, that's their problem not ours. Unlike you, we're here on performance bonuses and we'll do whatever we have to and screw over anyone we need to increase our package - you'd do the same if you could, so quit moaning - losers
It's costing us a fortune to keep you guys in secure camps when the hijack threat is negligible, so we're cutting back on security consultants and having them all based here in Lagos where they're needed. The drivers and junior staff were just a drag on our resources which is why we sacked them and outsourced the work to local contractors. We're not a bleeding hearts charity and if they're on a worse deal now, that's their problem not ours. Unlike you, we're here on performance bonuses and we'll do whatever we have to and screw over anyone we need to increase our package - you'd do the same if you could, so quit moaning - losers
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Nigeria, Bristow, CHC et al.....
It still amazes the nuts off me as to why you guys put up with this BS!! Surely, there are other BETTER employers out there who actually think about their responsibilities!!
Comfort Zone?? Incredible!
CMW.
Comfort Zone?? Incredible!
CMW.
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This is just the start...
To Bristowmanagement
You know what I don't care about this freakin CLA, BLA, BS and god knows what.
On the contrary Bristow Nigeria should conduct themselves as it is outlined in the Bristow leadership charter i.e. values, goals, and mission statements as per website. For God sakes show us some leadership and prevent the run off of good people. Recently you have been ushering us with "resources" that are an irresponsibility to clients and else. Where is the leadership that is expected from you? Or do I have to read it out loudly to you? It's all fine and dandy when the bigwigs descend on us and swing big speeches, but clear up this mess!!!!
P.S. Probably everything you propose is signed as "Bristowmanagement" thus hiding the true personality behind illfated decisions and avoid responsibility. Come on down and I'll get ya!!!
You know what I don't care about this freakin CLA, BLA, BS and god knows what.
On the contrary Bristow Nigeria should conduct themselves as it is outlined in the Bristow leadership charter i.e. values, goals, and mission statements as per website. For God sakes show us some leadership and prevent the run off of good people. Recently you have been ushering us with "resources" that are an irresponsibility to clients and else. Where is the leadership that is expected from you? Or do I have to read it out loudly to you? It's all fine and dandy when the bigwigs descend on us and swing big speeches, but clear up this mess!!!!
P.S. Probably everything you propose is signed as "Bristowmanagement" thus hiding the true personality behind illfated decisions and avoid responsibility. Come on down and I'll get ya!!!
Last edited by alouette; 25th Aug 2008 at 07:59.
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Um... alouette, you don't really believe bristowmanagement has anything to do with the real management do you? I'm sure it's just another guy having a good rant, though with Bristow you never know 
. One thing's for sure - while people are divided in their opinions of 'the majah' and the new MD is making a good first impression, nobody has a good word to say about the guy known as 'Randy Organ'. Despite that, I think Toks is right and most people will just stay on and continue moaning until or unless something better comes along. It doesn't make for a happy workforce though. In the last year or two both Bristow and CHC seem to have done their best to transform their workers into a pretty unhappy bunch with incredibly low morale. Both companies pay lip service to safety but fail to recognise that low morale is also detrimental to safety. As for COBI, that's just something they do to please the SEC. I'm sure the managers in both companies are quite happy to send out their drivers to change money on the black market. It's an interesting point from heliminger though and I wonder what the SEC would say if someone implicated Bristow in illegal business practices forced on their employees as a matter of policy?
Never mind, the Agbami contract will be announced any day now and then all the problems in Nigeria will be solved
. Yeah, and father Christmas really does exist and I'm sure I saw the Tooth Fairy last night
. One thing's for sure - while people are divided in their opinions of 'the majah' and the new MD is making a good first impression, nobody has a good word to say about the guy known as 'Randy Organ'. Despite that, I think Toks is right and most people will just stay on and continue moaning until or unless something better comes along. It doesn't make for a happy workforce though. In the last year or two both Bristow and CHC seem to have done their best to transform their workers into a pretty unhappy bunch with incredibly low morale. Both companies pay lip service to safety but fail to recognise that low morale is also detrimental to safety. As for COBI, that's just something they do to please the SEC. I'm sure the managers in both companies are quite happy to send out their drivers to change money on the black market. It's an interesting point from heliminger though and I wonder what the SEC would say if someone implicated Bristow in illegal business practices forced on their employees as a matter of policy?Never mind, the Agbami contract will be announced any day now and then all the problems in Nigeria will be solved
. Yeah, and father Christmas really does exist and I'm sure I saw the Tooth Fairy last night
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Nigeria and else...
Well, whatever... I just had to vent my disappointment on this unwholesome situation. It is sheer madness as well as sad to see how a good company loses its plot based on the fact that some dimbulbed manager(s) think they do the best they can to keep the operation running.
Whoever thinks that Agbami will be the solution to all the culprits is mislead.
Citing the code of integrity; "Promote honest and ethical conduct" and "Maintain a workplace in which the integrity and dignity of each individual is valued" - just to name a few. Now over to management - stop talking like a bunch of hobos and get real!!!!
Whoever thinks that Agbami will be the solution to all the culprits is mislead.
Citing the code of integrity; "Promote honest and ethical conduct" and "Maintain a workplace in which the integrity and dignity of each individual is valued" - just to name a few. Now over to management - stop talking like a bunch of hobos and get real!!!!
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The Rip Off Report
Here's a great new online site I found for anyone who thinks the new way of getting CLA is a rip off and should be reported:
The Rip Off Report
You can also use the company whistleblowers hotline to report any member of management you have discovered changing money illegally on the black market rather than getting it sent to him/her via Western Union or changing it at anything other than a legal Bureau de Change, (Persons with concerns regarding Accounting Matters may forward their complaints on a confidential or anonymous basis to The NETWORK, an independent company at 1-888-840-4147 or outside North America at 770-582-5277 or alternatively via the internet at http://www.tninc.com/webreport) or report them to Nigerian Customs Service on 09 5236393 or via their website Nigerian Customs Service if you suspect them of entering or leaving the country with more than $5,000. If you're worried about using the whistleblowers hotline, contact this American firm of attorneys for advice Qui Tam Attorneys
You can find out more about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 through this website Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 if you feel you're being illegally forced into a position where you may be in contravention of the Act.
Know the rules thoroughly so you can catch them out every time they break them. You can also make a point by refusing to take an aircraft if it's not completely serviceable, bar any allowable defects and make sure you record any and all defects in the journey log after every flight.
The Rip Off Report
You can also use the company whistleblowers hotline to report any member of management you have discovered changing money illegally on the black market rather than getting it sent to him/her via Western Union or changing it at anything other than a legal Bureau de Change, (Persons with concerns regarding Accounting Matters may forward their complaints on a confidential or anonymous basis to The NETWORK, an independent company at 1-888-840-4147 or outside North America at 770-582-5277 or alternatively via the internet at http://www.tninc.com/webreport) or report them to Nigerian Customs Service on 09 5236393 or via their website Nigerian Customs Service if you suspect them of entering or leaving the country with more than $5,000. If you're worried about using the whistleblowers hotline, contact this American firm of attorneys for advice Qui Tam Attorneys
You can find out more about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 through this website Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 if you feel you're being illegally forced into a position where you may be in contravention of the Act.
Know the rules thoroughly so you can catch them out every time they break them. You can also make a point by refusing to take an aircraft if it's not completely serviceable, bar any allowable defects and make sure you record any and all defects in the journey log after every flight.
Last edited by bristowburnout; 25th Aug 2008 at 15:51.
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BristowBurnout
Re the Toyota v Ford canoe race......Brilliant! But you must concede that the bonus's were well deserved because of their diligence in trying to find the root cause of the poor performance.
Last edited by phonic wheel; 26th Aug 2008 at 04:05. Reason: To make clear what I am referring to.
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Israeli Kidnapped in Port Harcourt
Late last night an Israeli businessman in his 60s was kidnapped at the entrance to a parking lot in Port Harcourt. His family have asked that his identity not be revealed as yet and the identity of his 4 kidnappers is not known.
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Now the totally out of touch local management with Bristow have issued an eat-before-reading memo saying that expat staff should get their girlfriends or wives to send them out money for their chop with Western Union, or open accounts with Citibank or brandish large wads of cash at the Bureau de Change at Lagos when they arrive. Great thinking in the present security situation 
I can just see it now on the morning convoy from Darrel's to QIT. The Bristow bus suddenly pulls out of the armed convoy and drives onto the forecourt of Citibank. Mopol vehicles block off the road and the Mopol wondering what's happening panic, some dropping their weapons and running away as they take off their uniform shirts, while others blindly fire into the air, the bush and the bank. The convoy commander reports that the convoy is under heavy attack by a group of armed militants who were trying to rob the bank and JTF immediately send an armed response team which arrives sometime later in the afternoon . Two pregnant women in the crowd are injured and rioting erupts on the street with one driver being beheaded. The convoy eventually starts on its way to QIT, but community unrest has now spread so widely that the gates of QIT are besieged by an angry mob with the driver's head impaled on a stake. It's decided to evacuate all Bristow staff to the MGH helipad by helicopter and that they will stay there for the next few days. As they are fed there by XOM they now have no need of their allowances anyway. The rioting is eventually brought under control after 3 days, during which time Darrel's is razed to the ground. A huge increase of telephone calls to the whistleblower hotline results in the Chief Pilot and Chief Engineer being sacked by the compliance officer and a committee is set up by the HRM in Lagos to look into the cause of the trouble and exonerate him
What do you think NEO? Have you opened your Citibank account yet?
I can just see it now on the morning convoy from Darrel's to QIT. The Bristow bus suddenly pulls out of the armed convoy and drives onto the forecourt of Citibank. Mopol vehicles block off the road and the Mopol wondering what's happening panic, some dropping their weapons and running away as they take off their uniform shirts, while others blindly fire into the air, the bush and the bank
. The convoy commander reports that the convoy is under heavy attack by a group of armed militants who were trying to rob the bank and JTF immediately send an armed response team which arrives sometime later in the afternoon . Two pregnant women in the crowd are injured and rioting erupts on the street with one driver being beheaded. The convoy eventually starts on its way to QIT, but community unrest has now spread so widely that the gates of QIT are besieged by an angry mob with the driver's head impaled on a stake. It's decided to evacuate all Bristow staff to the MGH helipad by helicopter and that they will stay there for the next few days. As they are fed there by XOM they now have no need of their allowances anyway. The rioting is eventually brought under control after 3 days, during which time Darrel's is razed to the ground. A huge increase of telephone calls to the whistleblower hotline results in the Chief Pilot and Chief Engineer being sacked by the compliance officer and a committee is set up by the HRM in Lagos to look into the cause of the trouble and exonerate him What do you think NEO? Have you opened your Citibank account yet?
TOK,
Oh how I wish to think you are pulling a leg here.....even Bristow Management (such as it is) could not possibly send such a memo....could they?
It should make folks shudder to think that as cynical as I am about the HR madness that causes such agony for the hired help, that I cannot force myself to think this one huge prank you are pulling off.
Deep in one's heart there is a bit of hope that HR people are not that stupid but unfortunately....the rest of the soul knows better.
Oh how I wish to think you are pulling a leg here.....even Bristow Management (such as it is) could not possibly send such a memo....could they?
It should make folks shudder to think that as cynical as I am about the HR madness that causes such agony for the hired help, that I cannot force myself to think this one huge prank you are pulling off.
Deep in one's heart there is a bit of hope that HR people are not that stupid but unfortunately....the rest of the soul knows better.
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flungdung,
Is actually a miserly 3% rise overall. Is Bristow in the North Sea who have a 5.7% rise. Many peoples have left this year and despite what is said there is always only just enough pilots, so any sickness etc, is a big struggle to keep things going. However, ADA, I don't think so
Is actually a miserly 3% rise overall. Is Bristow in the North Sea who have a 5.7% rise. Many peoples have left this year and despite what is said there is always only just enough pilots, so any sickness etc, is a big struggle to keep things going. However, ADA, I don't think so
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Spot on flungdung
Flungdung is right, the only way to sort any of this mess out is to go to the bar
Drink Star
Gulder is really antifreeze
Nigeria or the Gulf, same hole only the depth may vary
Drink Star Gulder is really antifreezeNigeria or the Gulf, same hole only the depth may vary
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Cr**ing themselves
As I said in my last post, I won't be returning. I am however, under no misapprehension that the management will be filling their pants at the loss of my talents. I am sure there will be some willing victim to take my place ,briefly .
After all the management only thinks as far ahead as the next bonus. The future of the company (beyond next bonus) is of no interest.
Why plan ahead when your interests are best served in short term thinking. This method tends to suit their mental capacities anyway.
The sad thing is, these were once people who cared about the future and were respected for it. (Sasless will not agree).
After all the management only thinks as far ahead as the next bonus. The future of the company (beyond next bonus) is of no interest.
Why plan ahead when your interests are best served in short term thinking. This method tends to suit their mental capacities anyway.
The sad thing is, these were once people who cared about the future and were respected for it. (Sasless will not agree).
Helim's,
Beyond not knowing to whom you refer within "management" that cared then but not now....and thus being able to confirm that statement....the rest of what you say is absolutely true.
Our Japanese friends view business in "long term" vice the American way of the next quarterly report mindset. As our automobile factories close and go overseas (think Mexico) the folks at Toyota are building plants in the USA.
As Toyota (and other foreign car makers) take over the American automobile industry our folks in Detroit wring their hands and face bankruptcy knowing the good ol' US Guvmint will bail their sorry asses out if need be.
Maggie Thatcher knew the evils of government run/subsidized business....I just wish her wisdom could have rubbed off on us.
Beyond not knowing to whom you refer within "management" that cared then but not now....and thus being able to confirm that statement....the rest of what you say is absolutely true.
Our Japanese friends view business in "long term" vice the American way of the next quarterly report mindset. As our automobile factories close and go overseas (think Mexico) the folks at Toyota are building plants in the USA.
As Toyota (and other foreign car makers) take over the American automobile industry our folks in Detroit wring their hands and face bankruptcy knowing the good ol' US Guvmint will bail their sorry asses out if need be.
Maggie Thatcher knew the evils of government run/subsidized business....I just wish her wisdom could have rubbed off on us.
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Now the totally out of touch local management with Bristow have issued an eat-before-reading memo saying that expat staff should get their girlfriends or wives to send them out money for their chop with Western Union, or open accounts with Citibank or brandish large wads of cash at the Bureau de Change at Lagos when they arrive.
I have heard about this Pruning at many meetings with my other Managers and at fust did not understand. Now I realised that Pruning is one of my greatest accomplashmints just ask the ex drivers and housing staffs maybe you will be next....
I now realise that there is a serious leakingness or maybe even a Mule as John Le Curry the famous spy author called them in our Centre of Excellence Heads Quarters but we will burn that bridge when we come to it.
When I write detailed memorandums to those minor managing people in the fields of Eket and Calabar and other places and warn them of the dire consequences of passing on informations in writing to the lower Staffs like Pilots and mechanical men but they obviously don't listen. Is my message at the bottom of my mails not clear like crystals?
Be warned - I am now monitoring your whining and subversive behavious!
Regards
F.C.
Please do not place this mail on the notice boards and do not make photocopies or distribute to employees. Just pass on the info to employees - thanks
Last edited by Foamy Coolings; 28th Aug 2008 at 10:13. Reason: add space
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Wetin consign you
Let me swim against the current here. I've been with Bristows for some time, all those years without fail I had my salary in my account at the end of the month, if there is another 4.5% added to it, I'll take it. They allow me to fly only as many hours as precribed by the doctor/NCAA, they will ground the a/c if anything is wrong with it or I am telling them that I'm not happy with this or that, no pressure at all from above, wonderful bunch of engineers to look after me, at the end of the day I retire to my airconditioned mansion to chill out, LG: Life is good.
Eyeing that greasy pole are we Archos?