What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
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Hi SASless, not that it has too much relevance to your posting, but when the C130 went in, there was a Nigerian Navy Lynx parked next to the canal we landed on to talk to the recovery team. Not that I am expecting any hard facts, but was there any statement of what caused the crash that day?
I suspect the Lynx was not able to carry any external load or winch equipped, I wait to be corrected!
I suspect the Lynx was not able to carry any external load or winch equipped, I wait to be corrected!
Tokunbo said:
"Advice - go for soemthing with one of the big boys - OLOG/Bristow/Pan African or CHC/Aero. The monthly salary may not look so good, but they're both short of pilots so with a few weeks workovers you can easily make more than you'd get while working 4 months on at a time with Caverton."
I'm not sure how you work that out when the Caverton add says pay is in the 50-72,000 USD range. Starting pay for BHL is a lot more than that.
"Advice - go for soemthing with one of the big boys - OLOG/Bristow/Pan African or CHC/Aero. The monthly salary may not look so good, but they're both short of pilots so with a few weeks workovers you can easily make more than you'd get while working 4 months on at a time with Caverton."
I'm not sure how you work that out when the Caverton add says pay is in the 50-72,000 USD range. Starting pay for BHL is a lot more than that.
Join Date: Dec 2003
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ACN has managed to lose another National pilot, this time to Caverton after the recent departure of one to Pan African. Once the trickle starts it soon becomes a flood, but ACN don't seem to be interested in doing anything to change the situation by reinstating the 7/5 agreement with the National pilots. Meanwhile many staff note the arrival of nice new Toyota saloon cars for the managers to ride around in air-conditioned comfort, whilst the majority of the staff transport is barely-roadworthy mini-buses and station wagons, not much better than the average Lagos molue. It doesn't seem that the take-over by CHC has done much more than bring in a few management changes and a few new helicopters. 
If Roger Shugrue is reading this, or anyone knows him, could he PM/e-mail me please?
Cheers.
Cheers.
Nigerian In Law
Tokunbo,
Things do seem to be a bit shakey at Aero, especially on the RW side. Nobody seems to be very happy. They appear to be developing an "us and them" syndrome between management and staff.
Lots of moving and shaking at Bristow too, with all sorts of rumours going round as management don't tell the staff anything. So what's new there, they've always done that !!
But then that's what this forum is for I guess ??
Cheers,
NEO
Things do seem to be a bit shakey at Aero, especially on the RW side. Nobody seems to be very happy. They appear to be developing an "us and them" syndrome between management and staff.
Lots of moving and shaking at Bristow too, with all sorts of rumours going round as management don't tell the staff anything. So what's new there, they've always done that !!
But then that's what this forum is for I guess ??
Cheers,
NEO
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Well from what i heard, some of Bristow's big boys in the UK actually resigned, their new management is being too methodical for them. Basically, they want info on anything coming in and an explanation for anything going out. as at now, i know for a fact two of their Executives has stepped down. they are reshuffling their management.
CHC, i would say are being very lazy with Aero for now. i guess the aero pilots are on the " I am coming " syndrome from the young lady(CHC's big girl). well, all pressing issues are being raised with their MD who always needs a strike-threat to take any action. Meanwhile, those who go directly to the big girl are still waiting for her next visit for something to happen. Maybe by the time she arrives, another half of their crew is with Bristow. I heard they really need a helping hand.
CHC, i would say are being very lazy with Aero for now. i guess the aero pilots are on the " I am coming " syndrome from the young lady(CHC's big girl). well, all pressing issues are being raised with their MD who always needs a strike-threat to take any action. Meanwhile, those who go directly to the big girl are still waiting for her next visit for something to happen. Maybe by the time she arrives, another half of their crew is with Bristow. I heard they really need a helping hand.
Nigerian In Law
Rumours Abound !!
Strange. I heard it was a case of "falling on their swords", i.e. jumping before they got pushed because of so-called unethical financial dealings, albeit to benefit the company, not themselves. Such is life.
CHC certainly haven't come in and improved things quickly, have they ? Sucking out as much money as possible ?
NEO
CHC certainly haven't come in and improved things quickly, have they ? Sucking out as much money as possible ?
NEO
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Who got fired, errr, resigned, rather?
The time for blaming people is now. I think there may be much more to come. You might predict that the ones getting caught in the crossfire are neither the ones that originated the plan, nor the ones authorising its execution!
There is much more to come. Everyone is attempting to look as pure as driven snow. Amazingly, Brazil might be where the real dirt is, even more than that traditional home of corruption, Nigeria.
This topic has nothing to do with helicopters, but everything to do with unscrupulous individuals and companies sustaining the underbelly of third world business practices! Some of the people who are caught up in this are really good individuals, but got promoted and then caught in sustaining a standard business practice for this part of the world that has been going on for decades. Its tough in todays world when you get caught, as the implications are pretty horrific.
I wonder if Mason's get preferential treatment in these cases?
The time for blaming people is now. I think there may be much more to come. You might predict that the ones getting caught in the crossfire are neither the ones that originated the plan, nor the ones authorising its execution!
There is much more to come. Everyone is attempting to look as pure as driven snow. Amazingly, Brazil might be where the real dirt is, even more than that traditional home of corruption, Nigeria.
This topic has nothing to do with helicopters, but everything to do with unscrupulous individuals and companies sustaining the underbelly of third world business practices! Some of the people who are caught up in this are really good individuals, but got promoted and then caught in sustaining a standard business practice for this part of the world that has been going on for decades. Its tough in todays world when you get caught, as the implications are pretty horrific.
I wonder if Mason's get preferential treatment in these cases?
Pan-African B412 crash-night casevac
Between 2-3 years ago now, if my memory serves me right, Pan-African lost a B412 on night casevac.
Can any West African ppruneer update me on the results of the accident investigation & where I can find the report?
Was there a meeting of the Niger Delta operators association as a result of this accident & were any changes introduced to procedures such as flight following?
With fraternal greetings, ambi
Can any West African ppruneer update me on the results of the accident investigation & where I can find the report?
Was there a meeting of the Niger Delta operators association as a result of this accident & were any changes introduced to procedures such as flight following?
With fraternal greetings, ambi
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ambi,
You don't honestly expect changes to happen in this part of the world, do you? Nobody really wants to get too deep into small matters like this. No changes to the night call out procedures at all, as far as I know. If it wasn't for you, that unfortunate crash would almost be forgotten.
You don't honestly expect changes to happen in this part of the world, do you? Nobody really wants to get too deep into small matters like this. No changes to the night call out procedures at all, as far as I know. If it wasn't for you, that unfortunate crash would almost be forgotten.
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NEO,
Actually, I think that since the new CHC managers arrived the pilots at Aero are much happier - they seem to have more of a team attitude than the us and them which used to be there before. There are even supposed to be a couple of pilots who have resigned from OLOG/Bristow/PanAfrican already who are now joining rather than the other way around
Actually, I think that since the new CHC managers arrived the pilots at Aero are much happier - they seem to have more of a team attitude than the us and them which used to be there before. There are even supposed to be a couple of pilots who have resigned from OLOG/Bristow/PanAfrican already who are now joining rather than the other way around
Nigerian In Law
anjouan,
Good to hear. It means there is still vitality and people are prepared to vote with their feet if the grass gets greener somewhere else.
That's the name of the game I suppose
Cheers,
NEO
Good to hear. It means there is still vitality and people are prepared to vote with their feet if the grass gets greener somewhere else.
That's the name of the game I suppose
Cheers,
NEO
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rumours sure abound
the only reason aero pilots look happy is becos most of their pilots ve left so their can be no more us and them, at least for now. since the old cult has been scattered, a new one has to be formed. there are over seven new faces na believe me over seven has gone too. CHC is really trying hard to make changes so they don't loose anyone anymore, but they don't ve the resources, yet. At least i know that the crew's leave are being bought, which add the smiles (more money), but some would rather be on rotations.they are trying though, but would never be like Bristow, at least for now. i would agree though that the competition is very very tight.
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I see Bristow is now operating quite a lot of S76 and Super Pumas in Lagos and Snake Island and Aero had a 76 there over the weekend. This morning I saw another shiny new-looking B737 on the Aero ramp - they're obviously expanding their fixed wing operations as well as helicopters. Caverton's A108 hasn't been seen for some time now - financial problems or serviceability? They do seem to have some work for their 'yellow peril' the 350B2 which flies from time to time. Anyone have any idea what's happening to them now? Even though their heliport is now open they haven't started their airport shuttle yet, which must be costing them dear. Still, they seem to have deep pockets, so presumably can wait a bit longer.
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No I'm not dead (yet). Well after several months away from my old stomping ground I'm hearing lots of reports of unfulfilled expectations from pilots and engineers in Aero.
Picture the difference and then ask yourself why Aero seems to have more problems with staff numbers than even Bristow in Nigeria:
Arrive at Lagos (or Port Harcourt) and probably find there's no transport to meet you. When the transport arrives, it's too small, filthy and not really roadworthy (remember CHC sells itself to its customers on safety - not for iit's employees when travelling by road apparently!). If you arrive in Lagos apparently you may be taken to some filthy staff annex or a so-called hotel which only the MD deems fit for habitation (if you remember back to when the JAT FIXED WING crews arrived some years ago, they wouldn't have accepted staying in a bug-infested doss house that the helicopter crews are now apparently expected to accept as the norm).
Arrive at the accomodation in Port Harcourt. Good location, but no facilities like Bristow have at most of their locations (swimming pool, gymnasium, squash or tennis courts). Just a converted garage with some broken-down equipment, or walking around the scenic splendors of the Areta Estate - great
As usual, NEPA is running at 200 volts, but on the instructions of the GM the new 500 KVa generator is not allowed to be turned on until the voltage drops to about 160
. Naturally the new CHC management do not have to suffer this as they are very comfortable in their quarters at the Intels camp, with personal transport, good security, swimming pool, restaurant etc. Jolly good!! About on a par with the accomodation that the Bristow crews take for granted in their mink-lined prison.
Discover that your luxury flat has yet again been ruined by flood or fire (cross out whichever does not apply) thanks to superb installation and maintenance by top-of-the-range, well-qualified plumber/electrician, Elvis!!
Decide to go out to drown sorrows due to lovely room and bar full of barmaid's friends drinking on your bar card for free. Shock horror, the only transport for the 40 expats on site has no fuel/no driver/ no spare wheel/no air conditioner/won't start/as mysteriously vanished* (*cross out whichever does not apply) and set off on foot only to be kidnapped by the Ijaw youth freedom movement.
Stay in the staff house, eat the delicious food and go back to make much use of the toilet facilities which unfortunately are not working tonight because of an electrical fire in your house.
Get up, have drug and alchohol abuse test, go to work in super luxury transport with only 11 of you trying to fit in to an old bus. Wave cheerily at the management as they pass in their comfortable car with one person squashed into the 3 available seats
Fly backside off all day and get back to find that the only bus left 10 minutes ago and as it's stuck inn a go-slow, with no spare vehicle you have the joy of a one hour wait before going back to luxury house. days 2 to 42, ditto all the above
Still life could be worse - you could be flying a Bell 206 out of Escravos or booked to go on leave with Bellview, via London, to Australia
Or you could be struggling to live on the generous monthly allowance Caverton pay their employees.
Waiting for more news from old friends. Episode 2 may follow. Despite all of the forgoing, I'd still love to be back in Africa - maybe one day. I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could. Now all I have is my fond memories and stories from friends. Please keep the news coming on PPRuNe. Thanks
MM
Picture the difference and then ask yourself why Aero seems to have more problems with staff numbers than even Bristow in Nigeria:
Arrive at Lagos (or Port Harcourt) and probably find there's no transport to meet you. When the transport arrives, it's too small, filthy and not really roadworthy (remember CHC sells itself to its customers on safety - not for iit's employees when travelling by road apparently!). If you arrive in Lagos apparently you may be taken to some filthy staff annex or a so-called hotel which only the MD deems fit for habitation (if you remember back to when the JAT FIXED WING crews arrived some years ago, they wouldn't have accepted staying in a bug-infested doss house that the helicopter crews are now apparently expected to accept as the norm).
Arrive at the accomodation in Port Harcourt. Good location, but no facilities like Bristow have at most of their locations (swimming pool, gymnasium, squash or tennis courts). Just a converted garage with some broken-down equipment, or walking around the scenic splendors of the Areta Estate - great
As usual, NEPA is running at 200 volts, but on the instructions of the GM the new 500 KVa generator is not allowed to be turned on until the voltage drops to about 160
. Naturally the new CHC management do not have to suffer this as they are very comfortable in their quarters at the Intels camp, with personal transport, good security, swimming pool, restaurant etc. Jolly good!! About on a par with the accomodation that the Bristow crews take for granted in their mink-lined prison.Discover that your luxury flat has yet again been ruined by flood or fire (cross out whichever does not apply) thanks to superb installation and maintenance by top-of-the-range, well-qualified plumber/electrician, Elvis!!
Decide to go out to drown sorrows due to lovely room and bar full of barmaid's friends drinking on your bar card for free. Shock horror, the only transport for the 40 expats on site has no fuel/no driver/ no spare wheel/no air conditioner/won't start/as mysteriously vanished* (*cross out whichever does not apply) and set off on foot only to be kidnapped by the Ijaw youth freedom movement.
Stay in the staff house, eat the delicious food and go back to make much use of the toilet facilities which unfortunately are not working tonight because of an electrical fire in your house.
Get up, have drug and alchohol abuse test, go to work in super luxury transport with only 11 of you trying to fit in to an old bus. Wave cheerily at the management as they pass in their comfortable car with one person squashed into the 3 available seats
Fly backside off all day and get back to find that the only bus left 10 minutes ago and as it's stuck inn a go-slow, with no spare vehicle you have the joy of a one hour wait before going back to luxury house. days 2 to 42, ditto all the above
Still life could be worse - you could be flying a Bell 206 out of Escravos or booked to go on leave with Bellview, via London, to Australia
Or you could be struggling to live on the generous monthly allowance Caverton pay their employees.Waiting for more news from old friends. Episode 2 may follow. Despite all of the forgoing, I'd still love to be back in Africa - maybe one day. I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could. Now all I have is my fond memories and stories from friends. Please keep the news coming on PPRuNe. Thanks
MM
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Cameroun is and always will be the best deal in West Africa. The folks from CHC are decent and are looking after us. We will be fully in CHC by Mar next and all looks well here. I've never begrudged the "Brass" for their priveliges, reckon they have earned them.
Later,
Later,
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Cameroun is and always will be the best deal in West Africa
It sounds as if it must be better than Nigeria anyway. I always thought that Gabon was the jewel of West Africa?
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Your devotion and loyalty duly noted Gray14. We will know who you are, we will hunt you down man named Gray14 in Cameroun. You will be Brass, you have earned the privelige, by your many years of loyal service.
Later,
Management
Later,
Management