What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
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CHC was talking about EC225, but now they're rumored to be talking about S76 and AW139. I don't think their new venture, Atlantic Aviation has an AOC yet.
Unlike a 'sheep-$hogger' I prefer to stay and speak my mind in the hopes of a change. Bristow is supposed to operate a 'just culture' and it's not yet a sacking offence voice an opinion or dissatisfaction 
Leave then. Sod off.
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Don't like it??
Leave then. Sod off.
Leave then. Sod off.
I'm guessing that was a comment from a Brit too.
That place really needs more Air Log guys and less dead wood.
But everywhere you go, no matter how much of a sh* hole it is there's always some expat telling you what a big time they're having.
As someone explained to me ,".. the guys that stick around in Nigeria are either drunks or there for the black P*ssy..".And a drunk in Nigeria is the sort of manager that doesn't show up for the 6am bus because he's just left the bar. Twice a week...
Im sure that's not totally correct but it's an interesting observation....
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That place really needs more Air Log guys and less dead wood.
Funny expats managed to run Nigeria for 50 years without American influence, being drinkers, women chasers or whatever.
Dont worry its the great plan anyway to Americanise the whole BHL worldwide operation so I suspect you will get your wishes sooner rather than later. The only bad thing is you will drag a good name into the mud with you
Last edited by Ainippe; 14th Sep 2012 at 08:12.
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Hey Tuk Tuk;
you better be careful with your observation...because some people are in this shy$§hole because it guarantees steady work and a payroll.
you better be careful with your observation...because some people are in this shy$§hole because it guarantees steady work and a payroll.
Last edited by alouette; 14th Sep 2012 at 07:07.
It is a very...very....very rare thing that I agree with Tuk about anything ever.
That being said.....I do agree with him to a great extent this time.
Just because the "Expats" (read Brits) ran Bristow Nigeria for all those years does not mean it was a perfect world there. That Americans are running it now does not promise it shall be either.
The danger to staying for long periods of time in overseas postings is the erosion to one's professional and personal standards which does happen to some.
We (non-Brits) used to laugh at the average Brit whose time at work consisted of showing up from leave....opening a single suitcase...and working all day and getting pissy assed drunk every night....for eight weeks....then closing the suitcase and going home on leave.
That they were quite comfortable living like that in at best could be called squalor....amazed us.
How many of them actually took money home from their local allowances (which were usually an insult in the amount being paid for subsistence) for use at home down the Pub.
How many guys do you know that have Bush Wives in Nigeria and families back home?
Nigeria and every other Touring assignment has its challenges and people deal with them in all sorts of ways....some do well....some not so well.
I can recall good examples of failed coping....but pointing them out will not change anything as the one thing that is a constant is the risks, lure, and pressures of the life style.
We don't have to go down the laundry list of happenings....like domestic squabbles in the Ops Manager's office in Lagos (involving the guy that ran off many good pilots for being involved with Nigerian Women before doing so himself and with a company employee to boot) , the CE and CP both failing to show up to unlock the Tech Log Room at PHC after a drunken evening, a whole operation of Nigerians refusing to work because of some Racial Insults by a CP at Warri....and on an on.....but then some of the Brits thought the days of the Raj had not ended for way too long.
To be fair.....it wasn't just the Brits that had these kinds of problems so understand I am not just bashing Brits but they were in charge and involved in all of these events.
I always looked to the Professional standards.....as long as they were there....the rest was none of my business. The Professional part was what kept me alive and healthy...the other I could avoid by staying at home with a good book. The risk is if you let your personal standards corrode to the point it affects your professional standards....and that can happen any where in any employment and not just on a Touring assignment. The two are very much related.
That being said.....I do agree with him to a great extent this time.
Just because the "Expats" (read Brits) ran Bristow Nigeria for all those years does not mean it was a perfect world there. That Americans are running it now does not promise it shall be either.
The danger to staying for long periods of time in overseas postings is the erosion to one's professional and personal standards which does happen to some.
We (non-Brits) used to laugh at the average Brit whose time at work consisted of showing up from leave....opening a single suitcase...and working all day and getting pissy assed drunk every night....for eight weeks....then closing the suitcase and going home on leave.
That they were quite comfortable living like that in at best could be called squalor....amazed us.
How many of them actually took money home from their local allowances (which were usually an insult in the amount being paid for subsistence) for use at home down the Pub.
How many guys do you know that have Bush Wives in Nigeria and families back home?
Nigeria and every other Touring assignment has its challenges and people deal with them in all sorts of ways....some do well....some not so well.
I can recall good examples of failed coping....but pointing them out will not change anything as the one thing that is a constant is the risks, lure, and pressures of the life style.
We don't have to go down the laundry list of happenings....like domestic squabbles in the Ops Manager's office in Lagos (involving the guy that ran off many good pilots for being involved with Nigerian Women before doing so himself and with a company employee to boot) , the CE and CP both failing to show up to unlock the Tech Log Room at PHC after a drunken evening, a whole operation of Nigerians refusing to work because of some Racial Insults by a CP at Warri....and on an on.....but then some of the Brits thought the days of the Raj had not ended for way too long.
To be fair.....it wasn't just the Brits that had these kinds of problems so understand I am not just bashing Brits but they were in charge and involved in all of these events.
I always looked to the Professional standards.....as long as they were there....the rest was none of my business. The Professional part was what kept me alive and healthy...the other I could avoid by staying at home with a good book. The risk is if you let your personal standards corrode to the point it affects your professional standards....and that can happen any where in any employment and not just on a Touring assignment. The two are very much related.
Last edited by SASless; 14th Sep 2012 at 13:12.
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Hak Air
New Start Up who previously existed as a Cargo airline, said to have 3 helicopters at Lagos airport.
Urgently looking for helicopter pilots, anybody heard anything?
Urgently looking for helicopter pilots, anybody heard anything?
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Lotsa nonsense being spouted here by people who never been or left a long time ago.
MDs - now Nigerian, before him Scots, before him American, before him American.
Heads of Operation - now South African, before him American, before him 'the Maja'.
Base Managers NAF - now Nigerian B2B Indian, before him Nigerian B2B Tea Bag.
Eket - now Canadian.
No idea who TTBB is but SAS is a sad old guy who's hated Bristow for a long time and will always latch on to any anti-Bristow sentiment here. I may be American, but I enjoy Bristow, just feel I have the right to express my opinion even when it's not liked by management. Beats the GoM for pay and sure the housing's better than my trailer there was, but has a few issues right now.
And all this goes to prove - nothing
MDs - now Nigerian, before him Scots, before him American, before him American.
Heads of Operation - now South African, before him American, before him 'the Maja'.
Base Managers NAF - now Nigerian B2B Indian, before him Nigerian B2B Tea Bag.
Eket - now Canadian.
No idea who TTBB is but SAS is a sad old guy who's hated Bristow for a long time and will always latch on to any anti-Bristow sentiment here. I may be American, but I enjoy Bristow, just feel I have the right to express my opinion even when it's not liked by management. Beats the GoM for pay and sure the housing's better than my trailer there was, but has a few issues right now.
And all this goes to prove - nothing
Looking for helicopter pilots? Why.....they nick the hubcaps or something?
Doughfan.....with your seniority I would hardly think you have much first hand knowledge of events and have only garnered what little you know vicariously.
I suppose you may have read a well known novel loosely based upon Bristow and thus feel qualified to hold forth on the virtues of that organization....but sadly....you do not know of what you speak.
Until you have lived it and thus gain that quality insight one gets from living it....you will only be able to imagine what you think you know.
There are many different Bristow's as any of the old hands will tell you....if you have the humility to ask. It continues to change as time goes on as does every organization.
When the Old Man himself ran the outfit.....it was very much different than in later years. The Management philosophy changed, the management style changed, and it continues to change.
As you probably have scant knowledge of life before the many buyouts and changes of ownership....you might wish to find some older hands that now days will have to pass on second hand knowledge of the original days to you.
At one time Bristow was an absolutely magic place to work.....very much due to the Old Man running it with the able assistance of some very interesting people.
Sadly, those days are very long gone.
Sadly, the current Bristow is no longer the same place.
Bristow is very much indicative of the helicopter industry as a whole.....when you find yourself on a good lick...enjoy it because it isn't going to last. Enjoy it while you can. There are good places within the company....and if you are lucky enough to find yourself at one of them....dig in like a Tick.
I lobbied for some of the current management years ago in Lafayette knowing they were being overlooked for any number of reasons....none of which were good or business like. Good guys will find themselves in positions where they can make a difference and there shall be some losers who find their ways up that greasy pole of management....but that is typical of any business.
Just because you differ in your views than mine.....does not make you right...more sensitive to the situation....or in any way the final word. I call them like I see them....sometimes it is not flattering but then I have never been reluctant to do that. I made to retirement with all my component parts by holding to good standards of safety and professionalism. In another twenty years....if/when you get to that point in your life....you will be able to say the same thing I hope.
Just because it has cute little Speed Birds in Red, White and Blue on it.....does not make it the Bees Knees. It is the people that do the job that makes the company. Change is not always an improvement.....but sometimes to improve one must change.
No matter the nationality....a two faced lying weasel is just that. Calling one that to his face is not always wrong....it may be insulting to the Weasel...but it is still the truth. People play games....they just do not like to be reminded of it.
Perhaps in a quiet moment....you will one day understand the difference between the "truth" and what one imagines the "truth" to be. You will be a lot happier if you can discern the difference.
I suppose you may have read a well known novel loosely based upon Bristow and thus feel qualified to hold forth on the virtues of that organization....but sadly....you do not know of what you speak.
Until you have lived it and thus gain that quality insight one gets from living it....you will only be able to imagine what you think you know.
There are many different Bristow's as any of the old hands will tell you....if you have the humility to ask. It continues to change as time goes on as does every organization.
When the Old Man himself ran the outfit.....it was very much different than in later years. The Management philosophy changed, the management style changed, and it continues to change.
As you probably have scant knowledge of life before the many buyouts and changes of ownership....you might wish to find some older hands that now days will have to pass on second hand knowledge of the original days to you.
At one time Bristow was an absolutely magic place to work.....very much due to the Old Man running it with the able assistance of some very interesting people.
Sadly, those days are very long gone.
Sadly, the current Bristow is no longer the same place.
Bristow is very much indicative of the helicopter industry as a whole.....when you find yourself on a good lick...enjoy it because it isn't going to last. Enjoy it while you can. There are good places within the company....and if you are lucky enough to find yourself at one of them....dig in like a Tick.
I lobbied for some of the current management years ago in Lafayette knowing they were being overlooked for any number of reasons....none of which were good or business like. Good guys will find themselves in positions where they can make a difference and there shall be some losers who find their ways up that greasy pole of management....but that is typical of any business.
Just because you differ in your views than mine.....does not make you right...more sensitive to the situation....or in any way the final word. I call them like I see them....sometimes it is not flattering but then I have never been reluctant to do that. I made to retirement with all my component parts by holding to good standards of safety and professionalism. In another twenty years....if/when you get to that point in your life....you will be able to say the same thing I hope.
Just because it has cute little Speed Birds in Red, White and Blue on it.....does not make it the Bees Knees. It is the people that do the job that makes the company. Change is not always an improvement.....but sometimes to improve one must change.
No matter the nationality....a two faced lying weasel is just that. Calling one that to his face is not always wrong....it may be insulting to the Weasel...but it is still the truth. People play games....they just do not like to be reminded of it.
Perhaps in a quiet moment....you will one day understand the difference between the "truth" and what one imagines the "truth" to be. You will be a lot happier if you can discern the difference.
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SASless, you don't know a single thing about me, even if you may think you do. The last time you actually worked for Bristow was when exactly? I guess a lot more than 10 years ago, so don't lecture me about first hand knowledge or vicariousness. Looks to me like your knowledge is gained very much second hand these days and all you pass your time doing is dreaming of your glory days and then your run in with the infamous Tire Burst which forever poisoned you against Bristow. Well I tell it like it is, I'm not too happy 'bout a couple things right now, but by more guys like me telling it as we see it and hanging on in here, just maybe things'll change. If not I can just do like you .... move on, talk about the good old days, the 'Old Man', and get to be another bitter old timer. No thanks 
.
To quote you, 'Just because you differ in your views than mine......does not make you right......more sensitive to the situation'. Unlike you, I'm here now, very aware of the situation, telling it like it is, not second hand or garnered it from Prune
. To quote you, 'Just because you differ in your views than mine......does not make you right......more sensitive to the situation'. Unlike you, I'm here now, very aware of the situation, telling it like it is, not second hand or garnered it from Prune
One thing is quite clear Dough....your reading comprehension is lacking.
I was quite clear there are many Bristow's.....in fact there have always been "Bristow's" within "Bristow" as it is a world wide operation and has been almost from its inception.
One thing has remained the same throughout is the risk of folks going "Bush" and going down a dangerous path while doing so.
That is the point Tuk made....and I agreed with him.....and you seem to disagree or are you simply being argumentative?
I made the most of the experience....invested my money, enjoyed my time off, and retired early with an accident/incident free flying career behind me.
You seem to find my comments "caustic" or "galling" to you.....but that is not being "bitter" as you suggest.
I was quite clear there are many Bristow's.....in fact there have always been "Bristow's" within "Bristow" as it is a world wide operation and has been almost from its inception.
One thing has remained the same throughout is the risk of folks going "Bush" and going down a dangerous path while doing so.
That is the point Tuk made....and I agreed with him.....and you seem to disagree or are you simply being argumentative?
I made the most of the experience....invested my money, enjoyed my time off, and retired early with an accident/incident free flying career behind me.
You seem to find my comments "caustic" or "galling" to you.....but that is not being "bitter" as you suggest.
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Oh dear, hit a nerve have I 
. I read just fine, seems like you don't
I made it quite clear that I work in Nigeria and that's where I'm talking about. It seems like your reading comprehension is lacking since you never answered my question about when you last worked for Bristow. In fact how many centuries since you were last in Nigeria ? I've no idea, but guessing you didn't stay too long, upset somebody and moved on to make the most of more experiences.
I don't find your comments the least bit galling or caustic to me, just irrelevant to what I posted. Reading through your old posts though you seem to leap on every post made about Bristow to come up with some kind bitter comment about how it was always good in the days of 'the Old Man' or how 'the majah' ran the place like some old British colony. I'm not actually interested, I just work for the company like it is now. Like most everywhere, some things good, some bad. Like the rotations, money's okay but kinda unfair as there's no published pay scales, the housing was good in PH, but looks like we're being pushed into something cheaper to save money.
As for TTBB, his comments are also irrelevant to what I posted (though I guess he thinks he's educating the guys who work in 'civilized' places about the perils of being in the 'bush') and he makes snide comments about people he doesn't know in a place he's never even visited based on some kind second-hand observation - geez
. I read just fine, seems like you don't I made it quite clear that I work in Nigeria and that's where I'm talking about. It seems like your reading comprehension is lacking since you never answered my question about when you last worked for Bristow. In fact how many centuries since you were last in Nigeria
? I've no idea, but guessing you didn't stay too long, upset somebody and moved on to make the most of more experiences. I don't find your comments the least bit galling or caustic to me, just irrelevant to what I posted. Reading through your old posts though you seem to leap on every post made about Bristow to come up with some kind bitter comment about how it was always good in the days of 'the Old Man' or how 'the majah' ran the place like some old British colony. I'm not actually interested, I just work for the company like it is now. Like most everywhere, some things good, some bad. Like the rotations, money's okay but kinda unfair as there's no published pay scales, the housing was good in PH, but looks like we're being pushed into something cheaper to save money.
As for TTBB, his comments are also irrelevant to what I posted (though I guess he thinks he's educating the guys who work in 'civilized' places about the perils of being in the 'bush') and he makes snide comments about people he doesn't know in a place he's never even visited based on some kind second-hand observation - geez
Ah.....a good laugh so early in the morning!
As in your view, no one seems to be responding to your post's contents....you reckon maybe you are arguing with yourself here?
As in your view, no one seems to be responding to your post's contents....you reckon maybe you are arguing with yourself here?
Last edited by SASless; 16th Sep 2012 at 15:13.
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Gents, thank you for the entertaining reading today. A boring, rainy Sunday here in PH. The polo field is now the polo lake...
Anyway, you both have good points. Yes, Aetna is worthless, but Bristow didn't select Aetna just to p1ss off their employees. There were issues with AXA for us yanks. SASS is definitely on point with his well written post about professional and personal standards, which is definitely reflected in some of the characters here. It's tough for some, but as long as the professional side stays that way, so be it.
I've been on both sides of the fence. The grass is green on both sides, but of different verities. CHC and Bristow both have good points, and not so good points. Dough, if you need a comparison to Elelenwo, go see Areta Estates, which is where CHC was for years. There, the bar and the camaraderie were what held everyone together. And the worst point with leaving Elelenwo to different locations is the loss of camaraderie.
There are good people in both CHC and Bristow, which make the job worthwhile. I do Nigeria for the money, the friendship, and the 6 weeks at home with my family. When I'm home, they are 100% my focus. But while here, my focus is work.
Now it's time to go have a Gulder at the bar with my friends/colleagues!
Anyway, you both have good points. Yes, Aetna is worthless, but Bristow didn't select Aetna just to p1ss off their employees. There were issues with AXA for us yanks. SASS is definitely on point with his well written post about professional and personal standards, which is definitely reflected in some of the characters here. It's tough for some, but as long as the professional side stays that way, so be it.
I've been on both sides of the fence. The grass is green on both sides, but of different verities. CHC and Bristow both have good points, and not so good points. Dough, if you need a comparison to Elelenwo, go see Areta Estates, which is where CHC was for years. There, the bar and the camaraderie were what held everyone together. And the worst point with leaving Elelenwo to different locations is the loss of camaraderie.
There are good people in both CHC and Bristow, which make the job worthwhile. I do Nigeria for the money, the friendship, and the 6 weeks at home with my family. When I'm home, they are 100% my focus. But while here, my focus is work.
Now it's time to go have a Gulder at the bar with my friends/colleagues!
Last edited by psyco; 16th Sep 2012 at 18:32.
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RUMORS
Without people like SASLESS, this site is dead. I was about to delete it from my Favorite Bar after weeks of nothing. Sure he's not in Nigeria for years, but he's got some juicy rumors to share. That's what this site is all about - rumors! Sometimes they turn out to be true though. Take everything here with a pinch of salt O.
Now that I'm out of NIgeria, I live the most boring life ever - golf in the morning, golf in the evening. I depend on PPrune West Africa to add a bit of zing into it. Still like to know what's happening in Paradise.
Now that I'm out of NIgeria, I live the most boring life ever - golf in the morning, golf in the evening. I depend on PPrune West Africa to add a bit of zing into it. Still like to know what's happening in Paradise.
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Dough Fan makes some good points. I never had a problem with AXA and Aetna really is a garbage outfit. This move could only have been motivated by bean-counters (or a particular bean-counter whose rarely seen except if senior management are around, or there's a course involving expensive hotels or a load of free 'adult beverages' are on offer ). Nobody knows whats happening with pay. Lotta guys got extra money, even more got none, now the rumour is that we're all getting something after senior management backed down. Our senior management here is basically okay, but lousy at communicating and has too many moody knee-jerk reactions to stuff, then changes it's mind, but never tells the worker ants.
The move to new lodgings is all supposed to happen soon so who knows what it'll really be like? The shorter journey will suit some, but for sure the housing won't be as good and all the guys will be split between a number of home bases. I'm sure those of us who like the choice of catering for ourselves will be unhappy if the Polo Suites is a guide to what to expect. That started off looking real nice, but as soon as that guy Richard, the project manager, left, the standards went down real low (but hey, it's the Indian way to convince everyone that they're really much happier while securing their management bonuses - maybe this is what SAS needs to latch on to - but he's so out touch and so long gone he has no clue). One things for sure, management are panicking because the new places aren't ready, they've comited to leaving our peaceful haven and they've sent down the Bristow William Wallace (who doesn't even work for Bristow) to get it all 'sorted'
Sure, I enjoy SAS when he reminisces, but let's just remember he's as much a relic of a bygone era as the guys he so fondly either remembers or gets so wound up about. He has no idea what life is like these days in a Bristow which is totally different than the one he knew. it really make me laugh when I see a post from someone like hangloose when with only one post his profile says he's in Nigeria, but in his post he says he's
and
- well you won't get that from SAS who left here aeons ago . It's the guys like psyco and Dough who are still here.
). Nobody knows whats happening with pay. Lotta guys got extra money, even more got none, now the rumour is that we're all getting something after senior management backed down. Our senior management here is basically okay, but lousy at communicating and has too many moody knee-jerk reactions to stuff, then changes it's mind, but never tells the worker ants.The move to new lodgings is all supposed to happen soon so who knows what it'll really be like? The shorter journey will suit some, but for sure the housing won't be as good and all the guys will be split between a number of home bases. I'm sure those of us who like the choice of catering for ourselves will be unhappy if the Polo Suites is a guide to what to expect. That started off looking real nice, but as soon as that guy Richard, the project manager, left, the standards went down real low (but hey, it's the Indian way to convince everyone that they're really much happier while securing their management bonuses - maybe this is what SAS needs to latch on to - but he's so out touch and so long gone he has no clue). One things for sure, management are panicking because the new places aren't ready, they've comited to leaving our peaceful haven and they've sent down the Bristow William Wallace (who doesn't even work for Bristow) to get it all 'sorted'
Sure, I enjoy SAS when he reminisces, but let's just remember he's as much a relic of a bygone era as the guys he so fondly either remembers or gets so wound up about. He has no idea what life is like these days in a Bristow which is totally different than the one he knew. it really make me laugh when I see a post from someone like hangloose when with only one post his profile says he's in Nigeria, but in his post he says he's
I'm out of NIgeria
Still like to know what's happening in Paradise.
. It's the guys like psyco and Dough who are still here.