What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Where Have All the 412's Gone
For months last year there were strongly confirmed rumours that Caverton was bringing in a whole heap of new Bell 412s for the 'center of excellence'. Later in the year there were strongly confirmed rumours that Neverpay was going into partnership with that company which is doing so very well, Virgin Nigeria and bringing in bucket loads of Bell 412s and AW139s. Visits were made to a reportedly very unimpressed Agip and Total, pilots were recruited from CHC. Since then........ nothing. CHC has sent 3 helicopters out of Nigeria but all the new hotshots have not as yet brought anything in. Maybe it's not as easy as they thought, maybe Aero's reported agreement with CHC has changed things, maybe the thought of $40-50 million tied up in aircraft sitting out in the rain with no contracts is making someone nervous? Has anybody heard any more about whether these new helicopters really are still coming?
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Very true, and part of the deal requires them to do business together for the next three years.Looks like chc might have a greater chunk of the rotary wing side of things. If both parties stick to the terms of the agreement things might just as well return back to what they used to be.Shame to all the pessimists out there.
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????? Are you refering to the ones who came over to Aero, got typed, logged hours and then ran of to their intended 'final destinations'.Lets be real about this, whose the 419er here???. Its quite unfortunate that in the past couple of years we have had a whole bunch of criminals being brought down here to Africa who claim to have all sorts of experience and end up selling them selves to the company in order to get new type ratings and additional responsibilities.I know a whole bunch of expartriates who have stuck with aero for years and have not been considered for any new types or for additional responsibilites. These are the ones that we should invest in, not the two faced criminals whose resume's dont even get double checked and who come here and complain about almost every thing from the food they eat to the girls they screw in secret.
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mcderek2000, you know well the company . . . 
"Are you refering to the ones who came over to Aero, got typed, logged hours and then ran of to their intended 'final destinations'.Lets be real about this, whose the 419er here???. Its quite unfortunate that in the past couple of years we have had a whole bunch of criminals being brought down here to Africa who claim to have all sorts of experience and end up selling them selves to the company in order to get new type ratings and additional responsibilities.I know a whole bunch of expartriates who have stuck with aero for years and have not been considered for any new types or for additional responsibilites. These are the ones that we should invest in, not the two faced criminals whose resume's dont even get double checked and who come here and complain about almost every thing from the food they eat to the girls they screw in secret."
Have you been waiting for 139 then 225 in vain ?
"Are you refering to the ones who came over to Aero, got typed, logged hours and then ran of to their intended 'final destinations'.Lets be real about this, whose the 419er here???. Its quite unfortunate that in the past couple of years we have had a whole bunch of criminals being brought down here to Africa who claim to have all sorts of experience and end up selling them selves to the company in order to get new type ratings and additional responsibilities.I know a whole bunch of expartriates who have stuck with aero for years and have not been considered for any new types or for additional responsibilites. These are the ones that we should invest in, not the two faced criminals whose resume's dont even get double checked and who come here and complain about almost every thing from the food they eat to the girls they screw in secret."
Have you been waiting for 139 then 225 in vain ?
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225 departure
well, its seems that things are going worst and worst within the Ec 225 team. A fourth captain has resigned, who was also TRE. No matter what way be thought, this pilot was already qualified as 225 instructor when he joined CHC.
Maybe lower than poor accomodation & food, lower than poor consideration from management (maybe even no management at all
), lower than poor working conditions and the fear of an accident should be considered....
Anyway, when 40% of pilots are resigning, management should think that there is a serious problem that should be fixed as fast as possible, before aircrafts are stuck on ground because of the lack of crew.
Maybe lower than poor accomodation & food, lower than poor consideration from management (maybe even no management at all
), lower than poor working conditions and the fear of an accident should be considered....Anyway, when 40% of pilots are resigning, management should think that there is a serious problem that should be fixed as fast as possible, before aircrafts are stuck on ground because of the lack of crew.
In the middle of layoffs and base closures around the world for CHC....resignations are a blessing.
Since when has a helicopter operator ever been concerned about "Turn Over" rates?
Since when has a helicopter operator ever been concerned about "Turn Over" rates?
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Since when has a helicopter operator ever been concerned about "Turn Over" rates?
Creeping the thread I was rather taken aback to see who is leading a discussion at Heli-Expo on the "Industry Outreach to Students Mentoring Program".
Want to ask a top helicopter company official what he/she is looking for in a pilot, maintenance technician, engineer, administrative personnel or an entry-level management candidate? This is the venue to get the answers! Sunday, February 22 , 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Convention Center, Room 303D
I will probably turn-up for a chuckle.
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Eket Attacked Last Night
Eket was again attacked last night as boats carrying a large number of militants attacked the Exxon Mobil compound for more than 1 hour using rifles, machine guns and RPGs. Several attempts were made to enter the camp from the river but lucky for us nobody of ours was hurt. The JTF haven't found any bodies in the river, so I guess none of the bad guys was hurt either .
So much for improved security from XOM. I'm sure our own brave company security advisor will find urgent business in Calabar or PH same as last time. Meanwhile our gallant operations managers who are too valuable to be spared for a night away with the boys will find endless excuses as to why everything here should be business as usual. They may even come down for a couple hours in a helicopter specially laid on for them. It's not as if they have to expose themselves to this $hit is it?
. They have all the moral fibre and backbone of a member of the Nudibranchia family of soft-bodied, shell-less molluscs. They'll collude with the clients to get us working normally as soon as possible and probably extend our working hours so we're more in harm's way than usual. After all, Lagos, where theyre based is really dangerous too right? A bus actually got shot at 10 years ago .
On the operations where staff actually have to drive to work, out in the Niger Delta (they're talking about our great new 'safe' transport coming here, and guys have to drive a long way every day in Port Harcourt and a short way in Warri), where MEND have already declared that a new terror campaign is starting, there should be an increase in journey security and a complete ban on all road journey's by night, even if it means declaring force majuere to clients. There can be no moral justification for putting people's lives on the line in the present situation - but when you have managers to who moral fibre is something you get from eating Weetabix, who knows what will happen? Notice, I haven't even mentioned money
.So much for improved security from XOM. I'm sure our own brave company security advisor will find urgent business in Calabar or PH same as last time. Meanwhile our gallant operations managers who are too valuable to be spared for a night away with the boys will find endless excuses as to why everything here should be business as usual. They may even come down for a couple hours in a helicopter specially laid on for them. It's not as if they have to expose themselves to this $hit is it?
. They have all the moral fibre and backbone of a member of the Nudibranchia family of soft-bodied, shell-less molluscs. They'll collude with the clients to get us working normally as soon as possible and probably extend our working hours so we're more in harm's way than usual. After all, Lagos, where theyre based is really dangerous too right? A bus actually got shot at 10 years ago .On the operations where staff actually have to drive to work, out in the Niger Delta (they're talking about our great new 'safe' transport coming here, and guys have to drive a long way every day in Port Harcourt and a short way in Warri), where MEND have already declared that a new terror campaign is starting, there should be an increase in journey security and a complete ban on all road journey's by night, even if it means declaring force majuere to clients. There can be no moral justification for putting people's lives on the line in the present situation - but when you have managers to who moral fibre is something you get from eating Weetabix, who knows what will happen? Notice, I haven't even mentioned money
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Twisted Wrench
I have heard that SA are offering a good monthly rate in Euro's, I wonder what their benefit package is, a good medical package and secure living quarters are just as important as the wages in Luanda.
I have heard that SA are offering a good monthly rate in Euro's, I wonder what their benefit package is, a good medical package and secure living quarters are just as important as the wages in Luanda.
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Rumor is that a the return of a certain well-loved CHC manager is part of the deal with Aero. A lot of people left because of him last time, so it doesn't look as if things are going to improve any time soon 
. What with Mr Nasty and Mr Stupid, even Nabil isn't going to be able to turn things around.
Quite a few guys are having interviews with Evergreen very soon and they're offering good pay and nice helicopters, so the exodus looks set to continue. Looking at the post from JLD, maybe Bristow will be losing a few 412 pilots as well - if they think Evergreen has changed and will pay on time every month.
Are Caverton still bringing in those 412 jumboclippers or whatever? If so 412 pilots are going to be very much in demand soon. Will all these new machines coming in be EPs or is anyone thinking of importing some stone age antique ones like Bristow still operates? Talking of which, who actually operates the oldest, tiredest helicopters in Nigeria? Is it the Bristow 412s and S76A+s or the Aero 365Ns? Anyone know just how old some of these old boneshakers really are?
. What with Mr Nasty and Mr Stupid, even Nabil isn't going to be able to turn things around. Quite a few guys are having interviews with Evergreen very soon and they're offering good pay and nice helicopters, so the exodus looks set to continue. Looking at the post from JLD, maybe Bristow will be losing a few 412 pilots as well - if they think Evergreen has changed and will pay on time every month.
Are Caverton still bringing in those 412 jumboclippers or whatever? If so 412 pilots are going to be very much in demand soon. Will all these new machines coming in be EPs or is anyone thinking of importing some stone age antique ones like Bristow still operates? Talking of which, who actually operates the oldest, tiredest helicopters in Nigeria? Is it the Bristow 412s and S76A+s or the Aero 365Ns? Anyone know just how old some of these old boneshakers really are?
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Mama,
This Oyibo he don undastand. How can the return of a bloke who cost the company employees due to being unpopular be the catalyst for a kiss and make up with ACN, unless he is an ACN plant who will rid them of all CHC employees and then things can go back to what they were?
This Oyibo he don undastand. How can the return of a bloke who cost the company employees due to being unpopular be the catalyst for a kiss and make up with ACN, unless he is an ACN plant who will rid them of all CHC employees and then things can go back to what they were?
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to twisted wrench and seaking283
you're not totally right when talking about money. It's true that Angola is offering euros, and a better salary that CHC does, but I do not think that people are only living for money.
Just to give you a few cues of what's happening in Lagos ACN base for RW :
- when the aircrafts arrived last october, after several months of delay, there was not even a chair, not dreaming about an office, for pilots
- it's part of the 225 job now to deal with the client to see which will be the travel, not to exceed 8h00 of flight per day
- the "management" (you can not really call them like this) wants the 225 to come back to Lagos in IFR, by night
- accommodation is so poor that it's called Guantanamo
you're not totally right when talking about money. It's true that Angola is offering euros, and a better salary that CHC does, but I do not think that people are only living for money.
Just to give you a few cues of what's happening in Lagos ACN base for RW :
- when the aircrafts arrived last october, after several months of delay, there was not even a chair, not dreaming about an office, for pilots
- it's part of the 225 job now to deal with the client to see which will be the travel, not to exceed 8h00 of flight per day
- the "management" (you can not really call them like this) wants the 225 to come back to Lagos in IFR, by night
- accommodation is so poor that it's called Guantanamo
