What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
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Nom d'un chien I theenk my tire has burst 
. I heard there were a couple of others - I guess he must ave ad a bad batch of preservatifs 
Is he still around? If there were any justice in the world, one day he would get his just deserts, but as there isn't I suppose he'll continue spreading his 'jeans' around the third world 
. This is typical of the Bristow management people mentioned by MM, TB, NEO and sas.
. I heard there were a couple of others - I guess he must ave ad a bad batch of preservatifs Is he still around? If there were any justice in the world, one day he would get his just deserts, but as there isn't I suppose he'll continue spreading his 'jeans' around the third world . This is typical of the Bristow management people mentioned by MM, TB, NEO and sas.
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Actually, though his weight and appearance make him look old, he has quite a few more years yet, depending on where he is working.
I wonder if he has a swimming pool? If so he could dive in after a few too many glasses of champagne and swim like a black sardine
. He must have caused the disappearance of more good pilots from Bristow than most managers, yet he is still there, which tells you something about the Bristow attitude to staff. Looking at another thread about the SECs findings about Bristow's financial dealings, if they survive and manage to stay in West Africa, maybe at last there will be a healing wind which will get rid of his like .... but I think that SASless and many others will not see that in their lifetimes 
I wonder if he has a swimming pool? If so he could dive in after a few too many glasses of champagne and swim like a black sardine
. He must have caused the disappearance of more good pilots from Bristow than most managers, yet he is still there, which tells you something about the Bristow attitude to staff. Looking at another thread about the SECs findings about Bristow's financial dealings, if they survive and manage to stay in West Africa, maybe at last there will be a healing wind which will get rid of his like .... but I think that SASless and many others will not see that in their lifetimes
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Well, Bristow and CHC may have given broadly similar pay rises but in Port Harcourt at least it seems there are a few differences for management. Bristow managers ride around in the same mini vans as all the other pilots going to work and live in the same housing. For CHC it seems things are getting much harder for their managers. The journey to work from their luxury housing is now so difficult they need new SUVs to get to work. It's entirely due to the state of the roads and the rainy season of course 
. Meanwhile, building the new luxury staff house for everybody else doesn't seem to have started yet - rumors of a new staff compound somewhere in the bush (really nice houses, but such a good deal because of the location 
). Naturally the new ramp extension and hangar are going ahead full steam because they need somewhere for the shiny new helicopters. However, the Bristow refusal to change to 6/6 has reportedly caused a big increase in pilots looking to change employers in Nigeria.
In all honesty, things have considerably improved in both companies, but there's still a long, long way to go before it would be worth thinking of leaving a decent job in Europe or North America for Nigeria.
. Meanwhile, building the new luxury staff house for everybody else doesn't seem to have started yet - rumors of a new staff compound somewhere in the bush (really nice houses, but such a good deal because of the location ). Naturally the new ramp extension and hangar are going ahead full steam because they need somewhere for the shiny new helicopters. However, the Bristow refusal to change to 6/6 has reportedly caused a big increase in pilots looking to change employers in Nigeria.In all honesty, things have considerably improved in both companies, but there's still a long, long way to go before it would be worth thinking of leaving a decent job in Europe or North America for Nigeria.
Nigerian In Law
Tokunbo,
You are on the ball mate. But I think the Bristow Port Harcourt managers deserve their own cars too. After all, they are seen as the poor relations so it would go a long way to redress the balance and restore the image don't you think ?
Cheers,
NEO
You are on the ball mate. But I think the Bristow Port Harcourt managers deserve their own cars too. After all, they are seen as the poor relations so it would go a long way to redress the balance and restore the image don't you think ?
Cheers,
NEO
I Try To Be Good !!
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What happened to the "Exodus" ?? Only two engineers (one already there, the other still a rumour) have crossed the road so far. Where are all the 6/6 afficionados ?
Or maybe the grass isn't all that much greener ??
(Bob Marley, RIP)
Or maybe the grass isn't all that much greener ??
(Bob Marley, RIP)
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Even the Exodus took time to plan and execute. Rome wasn't built in a day - and maybe, just maybe, CHC don't want Bristow malcontents. Who knows? I'm sure NEO has the answers.
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Wow,
This thread has certainly ballooned over the last year!
I, as an outsider to everything 'West African', have a couple of questions. Yes, I'm sure the answers are already embedded in the 23 pages and 900 previous posts, but finding specific information is a nightmare (that's the problem with long threads like this)...I just want to consolidate them into one place.
So if anyone is willing to give an objective summary of the current position, it'll be greatly appreciated.
Specifically, the questions which arise are:
1. Is there a shortage of pilot over in W. Africa (Captains / Copilots or both) If so, WHY is there such a shortage...where have all the pilots gone?
2. What is the CURRENT pay for a junior copilot / senior copilot / captain?
3. What is the CURRENT roster pattern?
4. Of course there are 2 main players...CHC and Bristows. Can someone point me to their websites that are advertising the jobs for these companies, or who are the contacts that should be sought if ?
5. There have been so many gripes, moans and groans about working in WA. Has anyone got anything positive to say?
6. Any more objective information that could help.
Well, here's hoping that someone responds!
cl12pv2s
This thread has certainly ballooned over the last year!
I, as an outsider to everything 'West African', have a couple of questions. Yes, I'm sure the answers are already embedded in the 23 pages and 900 previous posts, but finding specific information is a nightmare (that's the problem with long threads like this)...I just want to consolidate them into one place.
So if anyone is willing to give an objective summary of the current position, it'll be greatly appreciated.
Specifically, the questions which arise are:
1. Is there a shortage of pilot over in W. Africa (Captains / Copilots or both) If so, WHY is there such a shortage...where have all the pilots gone?
2. What is the CURRENT pay for a junior copilot / senior copilot / captain?
3. What is the CURRENT roster pattern?
4. Of course there are 2 main players...CHC and Bristows. Can someone point me to their websites that are advertising the jobs for these companies, or who are the contacts that should be sought if ?
5. There have been so many gripes, moans and groans about working in WA. Has anyone got anything positive to say?
6. Any more objective information that could help.
Well, here's hoping that someone responds!
cl12pv2s
Last edited by cl12pv2s; 22nd Jul 2006 at 15:33.
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One probable reason for the shortage is that Nigeria is a dangerous place to live and work, but the pay is not nearly enough to reflect this and the housing and facilities are generally second-or-third rate. Despite Nigerian regulations requiring pilots to have one day off in 7 CHC are now trying to get a dispensation so that pilots on 6/6 can work every day for 42 days continuous. As most of the guys leave for work at 0645 and don't return until around 1830 I think that there will be no rush of volunteers to work 77 hour weeks, with lots of flying, returning to cr*p houses and with few leisure facilities except to drink, which many people are too tired to do anyway.
There's little positive to say about the working environment at the moment as both CHC and Bristow gave pathetic pay rises and seem to be hellbent on upsetting the pilots they have in Nigeria as much as they can, so the situation will probably just get worse. The senior managers in both companies are so out of touch they need ear trumpets just to hear the shouted complaints of anyone. The CHC manager in Port Harcourt seems to have just given up on trying to do anything to help. All he's trying to do is cut costs to the bone, then at night he returns in his nice new car, to his luxury house.
There is a shortgae of pilots in Nigeria - one reason why CHC is trying to force already tired pilots to work even more, despite their so-called dedication to safety . There is a shortage of people because of all of the above and many pilots are leaving, even if it means taking a pay cut. They don't want to live in lousy houses, eating lousy food, getting sick and wondering if they're going to be attacked by MEND on their way to work, or hijacked by MEND afer they start their working day.
The current pay is too little for what is expected of people over in Nigeria.
Websites - just Google them.
Objective information - look for work somewhere other than Nigeria.
There's little positive to say about the working environment at the moment as both CHC and Bristow gave pathetic pay rises and seem to be hellbent on upsetting the pilots they have in Nigeria as much as they can, so the situation will probably just get worse. The senior managers in both companies are so out of touch they need ear trumpets just to hear the shouted complaints of anyone. The CHC manager in Port Harcourt seems to have just given up on trying to do anything to help. All he's trying to do is cut costs to the bone, then at night he returns in his nice new car, to his luxury house.
There is a shortgae of pilots in Nigeria - one reason why CHC is trying to force already tired pilots to work even more, despite their so-called dedication to safety
. There is a shortage of people because of all of the above and many pilots are leaving, even if it means taking a pay cut. They don't want to live in lousy houses, eating lousy food, getting sick and wondering if they're going to be attacked by MEND on their way to work, or hijacked by MEND afer they start their working day. The current pay is too little for what is expected of people over in Nigeria.
Websites - just Google them.
Objective information - look for work somewhere other than Nigeria.
Nigerian In Law
I'm Touched !!
No, really, I am !!
Phone Wind,
I really haven't got the answers, but since this is a rumour forum I have got an opinion like everyone else.
Not sure what you mean by "malcontent" ? If you mean w
kers who are running out of places to work then just about every company has them. If you mean people who are just p sed off with their pay/T & Cs (or lack of) etc, then they are everywhere !! I'm sure CHC has them just as Bristow does.
IMHO the bottom of the barrel will be getting scraped by everyone just to put bums on seats if it isn't being already
Supply and demand. High oil prices, next to no ab initio training for years, very few ex military, an ageing workforce etc.
It's just a shame the powers that be didn't see it coming. Or they chose to ignore it for short term cost cutting, margin increasing reductions/moratoria. That's what performance related pay deals do sadly, especially when accountants only appear to see the "bottom line".
Cheers,
NEO
Phone Wind,
I really haven't got the answers, but since this is a rumour forum I have got an opinion like everyone else.
Not sure what you mean by "malcontent" ? If you mean w
kers who are running out of places to work then just about every company has them. If you mean people who are just p sed off with their pay/T & Cs (or lack of) etc, then they are everywhere !! I'm sure CHC has them just as Bristow does.IMHO the bottom of the barrel will be getting scraped by everyone just to put bums on seats if it isn't being already
Supply and demand. High oil prices, next to no ab initio training for years, very few ex military, an ageing workforce etc.It's just a shame the powers that be didn't see it coming. Or they chose to ignore it for short term cost cutting, margin increasing reductions/moratoria. That's what performance related pay deals do sadly, especially when accountants only appear to see the "bottom line".
Cheers,
NEO
NEO,
A rumour has been passed along....maybe you can confirm it from your point of observation.
Is it true one must be a Free Mason to survive otherwise mortal sins in Bristow (Nigeria)? It was suggested certain a senior party(s) owe that secrect handshake thing for saving their bacon over the years and ensuring their careers prospered.
The rumour monger also suggested it had something to do with the uniform and boots worn when in the mob that cemented one's success after the bearded Rum drinkers lost power.
A rumour has been passed along....maybe you can confirm it from your point of observation.
Is it true one must be a Free Mason to survive otherwise mortal sins in Bristow (Nigeria)? It was suggested certain a senior party(s) owe that secrect handshake thing for saving their bacon over the years and ensuring their careers prospered.
The rumour monger also suggested it had something to do with the uniform and boots worn when in the mob that cemented one's success after the bearded Rum drinkers lost power.
Nay Lad, the bearded ones I refer too are the ex-Royal Oggin Bobbers....that once ruled supreme before the ex-Pongo's overthrew the Court of Jacky Tar.
But....the one you refer to did in fact like his Jack, although I suggest the frozen daiquiri's we made there for a while seemed fairly competitive.
But....the one you refer to did in fact like his Jack, although I suggest the frozen daiquiri's we made there for a while seemed fairly competitive.
Nigerian In Law
Sas,
At present all you have to do to survive what used to be a mortal sin is to be alive Everyone is so short of bums on seats and hands on spanners that sadly it appears the new unofficial policy is to move the problem. Mess up on one operation, get moved to another. Do it again and get moved back to square one.
Things ain't what they used to be, that's for sure. Quantity, not quality is the name of the new game. A funny handshake won't matter as a person will be kept on whether they roll up their trouser leg or not. And all the ex Forces guys are getting older with nobody coming behind them, so that rumour is way out of date too.
NEO
At present all you have to do to survive what used to be a mortal sin is to be alive
Everyone is so short of bums on seats and hands on spanners that sadly it appears the new unofficial policy is to move the problem. Mess up on one operation, get moved to another. Do it again and get moved back to square one.Things ain't what they used to be, that's for sure.
Quantity, not quality is the name of the new game. A funny handshake won't matter as a person will be kept on whether they roll up their trouser leg or not. And all the ex Forces guys are getting older with nobody coming behind them, so that rumour is way out of date too.NEO
Living out of a suitcase are you then, NEO?
Nigerian In Law
Now Now, Claws To Retract..........
Sas,
Nope, not any more. Those heady days of warning letters etc are well behind me now, I'm too old for "high life" these days.
You could come back if you wanted to though, we don't use hand held radios any more...........
Cheers,
NEO
Nope, not any more. Those heady days of warning letters etc are well behind me now, I'm too old for "high life" these days.
You could come back if you wanted to though, we don't use hand held radios any more...........
Cheers,
NEO
As I said in Redhill one chilly summer morning....I should have shoved it up his hind end until he began to hear real voices in his head.
At least I did not leave it laying on the Bishop's pillow as someone did there in Nigeria.
At least I did not leave it laying on the Bishop's pillow as someone did there in Nigeria.
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Retry- Mama Mangrove, this one's for you
Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire- The "Paris of West Africa" it once was.
One reason you don't want to be here.
Another reason-Street demostrations last Jan 06.
ONUCI HQ surrounded by so called Young Patriots.
Another reason-Demostrations turned ugly.
Superb accomodations provided by company. This is where and how we maintain our sanity, chill out by the pool. Present security situation according to the UN - CALM BUT TENSE???
Last edited by VFRIFR; 27th Jul 2006 at 21:24. Reason: Pics does not show
Nice to see the "wafu"....sometimes rooms themselves tend to turn into swimming pools during rain season if I remember well....but not a bad place indeed. Just to keep in mind to get ready for a quick pack-up.!
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VFRIFR,
Well, looks pretty much like somewhere in Nigeria a lot of the time - except I see you have much nicer accomodation in Abidjan . I won't post the pictures of the MOPOL shot dead in front of the Agip hangar Port Harcourt earlier this year, they're too graphic for Prune - and afterward the guys had no nice houses or swimming pools to go back to.
How many S61s do CHC have there now? It looks as if you guys need a good incentive allowance there - but I don't suppose you get it . More pictures if you have them. 
Well, looks pretty much like somewhere in Nigeria a lot of the time - except I see you have much nicer accomodation in Abidjan
. I won't post the pictures of the MOPOL shot dead in front of the Agip hangar Port Harcourt earlier this year, they're too graphic for Prune - and afterward the guys had no nice houses or swimming pools to go back to.How many S61s do CHC have there now? It looks as if you guys need a good incentive allowance there - but I don't suppose you get it
. More pictures if you have them.