Pay rise
FloaterNW good points in your post.
However I wasn't simply suggesting direct employment as the answer but just that those units have helped define an "industry average" that many contract units now fall way below.
Contract employment does offer flexibility but the pilots pay needs some separation from the tendering process.
Unless of course the public are happy with cheap rate pilots flying police helicopters over their homes and cities.
However I wasn't simply suggesting direct employment as the answer but just that those units have helped define an "industry average" that many contract units now fall way below.
Contract employment does offer flexibility but the pilots pay needs some separation from the tendering process.
Unless of course the public are happy with cheap rate pilots flying police helicopters over their homes and cities.
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BT: agree with your comments 100%, except I think the great unwashed don't care a hoot about the salary of the pilot keeping them awake at night.
My main moan is not so much how much we have got, but how the company has gone about it. Various figures had been banded about during the summer, by management, all much, much higher than the final figure. Many people thought they meant it (including me, but I'm young and naive), but come the end of the charter season (less jobs about) and its a big let down. I just think it is very poor management treat people this way.
But come the spring, people will remember
My main moan is not so much how much we have got, but how the company has gone about it. Various figures had been banded about during the summer, by management, all much, much higher than the final figure. Many people thought they meant it (including me, but I'm young and naive), but come the end of the charter season (less jobs about) and its a big let down. I just think it is very poor management treat people this way.
But come the spring, people will remember
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The problem with pilotage providers is that the profit margin is very thin. UEOs nowadays drive a very hard bargain as they have to get value for money as well...
It's obvious where the profit is however - maintenance; which is why the engineers are now on as much if not more than the contracted out pilotage.
There are many ways and means of overcoming fixed pay points when directly employed but it does require a forward looking UEO who values his very experienced pool of pilots and wants to keep them - believe it or not but in this day and age we are quite hard to find!
Get together and lobby your UEO, make a business case and let him sell it - Direct employment isn't without its problems but it is the only way to go...
It's obvious where the profit is however - maintenance; which is why the engineers are now on as much if not more than the contracted out pilotage.
There are many ways and means of overcoming fixed pay points when directly employed but it does require a forward looking UEO who values his very experienced pool of pilots and wants to keep them - believe it or not but in this day and age we are quite hard to find!
Get together and lobby your UEO, make a business case and let him sell it - Direct employment isn't without its problems but it is the only way to go...
It mystifies me why the change to direct employment hasn't caught on.
Some of the problem is the UEO himself - if he doesn't understand (or want the hassle) the advantages of direct employment then nothing happens.
Some UEO's don't get a look in because their procurement office/accountants override him anyway!
The service providers aren't going to rock the boat as long as the status quo continues. They are making a modicum of profit and they are comfortable with that. Why try to take the lead and try to advise the police that it would make sense to up the salaries of the pilots (hence put in a higher bid during the next renewal date) only to be undercut by some cutthroat competition?
There will always be someone out there who thinks they can do it cheaper.
They will always win as long as incoming pilots accept lower and lower salaries. And once the military pool dries up (hasn't it already) they will take civviy self improvers with unknown backgrounds (nothing wrong with that - provided they are well trained) who will accept peanuts just to get a foothold. You've only got to read other threads to learn there are pilots out there who will sell their granny for a job!
Direct employment doesn't have any problems . I think you are confusing this type of employment which protects the employee from bad practice, poor conditions and no protection......with contract work conditions!!!
Remember - the maximum working week/overtime/sickness benefit etc is a RIGHT, not a problem
Our unit has been DE for 12 years. On 2 occasions there has been serious illness (cancer and RTA) each averaging 10-12 months off sick - on both occasions, the insurance paid for relief pilotage. No-one batted an eyelid, least of all the police/insurer. Our premiums are still as competitive as ever today.
The beauty of direct employ is LOYALTY. In return for being looked after by the employer on all fronts, you commit yourself to achieving the best for that unit.
You go that extra mile for flexible shift times.
You watch every penny being spent on service provision.
You advise the force on bad practice without any come back from that provider (threats to wind your neck in).
You advise on the best equipment.
You take a personal pride in your a/c and its operation because you are one of the team.
Etc Etc.
And finally - DE IS cheaper than contract, make no mistake about it. I've seen the figures and I've done the maths, time and time again. There is not much in it and it depends on various factors (FDP's / No. of pilots / perks etc).
It is up to each pilot to make their mark:
Educate your UEO - work to rule with your contractors.
No-ONE els is interested. Not the public, not the Home Office, not the CAA.
Some of the problem is the UEO himself - if he doesn't understand (or want the hassle) the advantages of direct employment then nothing happens.
Some UEO's don't get a look in because their procurement office/accountants override him anyway!
The service providers aren't going to rock the boat as long as the status quo continues. They are making a modicum of profit and they are comfortable with that. Why try to take the lead and try to advise the police that it would make sense to up the salaries of the pilots (hence put in a higher bid during the next renewal date) only to be undercut by some cutthroat competition?
There will always be someone out there who thinks they can do it cheaper.
They will always win as long as incoming pilots accept lower and lower salaries. And once the military pool dries up (hasn't it already) they will take civviy self improvers with unknown backgrounds (nothing wrong with that - provided they are well trained) who will accept peanuts just to get a foothold. You've only got to read other threads to learn there are pilots out there who will sell their granny for a job!
Direct employment doesn't have any problems . I think you are confusing this type of employment which protects the employee from bad practice, poor conditions and no protection......with contract work conditions!!!
Remember - the maximum working week/overtime/sickness benefit etc is a RIGHT, not a problem
Our unit has been DE for 12 years. On 2 occasions there has been serious illness (cancer and RTA) each averaging 10-12 months off sick - on both occasions, the insurance paid for relief pilotage. No-one batted an eyelid, least of all the police/insurer. Our premiums are still as competitive as ever today.
The beauty of direct employ is LOYALTY. In return for being looked after by the employer on all fronts, you commit yourself to achieving the best for that unit.
You go that extra mile for flexible shift times.
You watch every penny being spent on service provision.
You advise the force on bad practice without any come back from that provider (threats to wind your neck in).
You advise on the best equipment.
You take a personal pride in your a/c and its operation because you are one of the team.
Etc Etc.
And finally - DE IS cheaper than contract, make no mistake about it. I've seen the figures and I've done the maths, time and time again. There is not much in it and it depends on various factors (FDP's / No. of pilots / perks etc).
It is up to each pilot to make their mark:
Educate your UEO - work to rule with your contractors.
No-ONE els is interested. Not the public, not the Home Office, not the CAA.
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Letsby Av. Yes maintenance is profitable, from selling spares, not for the engineers. The pay for engineers is so poor (at the company we are talking about) most of the fixed wing licensed guys have walked. Now they are bringing in outside engineers to sign off aircraft! And the company still does not see a problem
As for the profit margin on contract pilotage, there is something seriously wrong with the company if it cannot make a reasonable profit, given that we all know how much the company charges. Perhaps too many overheads?
TC: This is killing me; ......I agree with you
(as I normally do not)
As for the profit margin on contract pilotage, there is something seriously wrong with the company if it cannot make a reasonable profit, given that we all know how much the company charges. Perhaps too many overheads?
TC: This is killing me; ......I agree with you
(as I normally do not)
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Location: Liverpool based Geordie, so calm down, calm down kidda!!
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Just spoken to FloaterNorthWest and he has resigned today. The boys here are really sad but understand his reasons. Good luck in your new career move!!
PS. What are you going to change your Prune name to now??
PS. What are you going to change your Prune name to now??
