North Sea Job Prospects
Yes, as bayou says you will certainly need a JAA licence. Just bear in mind that most of the N Sea jobs are not in England, they are in Scotland. Getting this wrong may go down as well as accusing someone from Canada of being from the USA or vice versa!
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Current North Sea Job Market
Hope you all don't get tired of questions like this one..
but what are the current chances to get a co-pilot job flying on the north sea for somebody with about 450 hrs tt that is willing to pay himself for the IR if that's necesarry.
The reason for this question is that I am at the point of deciding IF I am going to take out an extra loan to cover the (very expensive, as you all know) IR
I did read a lot through previous post about this mather but most of them are fairly old and might not correspond with the situation at the moment.
I appreciate all responses,
Romeogulf
but what are the current chances to get a co-pilot job flying on the north sea for somebody with about 450 hrs tt that is willing to pay himself for the IR if that's necesarry. The reason for this question is that I am at the point of deciding IF I am going to take out an extra loan to cover the (very expensive, as you all know) IR
I did read a lot through previous post about this mather but most of them are fairly old and might not correspond with the situation at the moment.
I appreciate all responses,
Romeogulf
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All 3 in the UK have been fishing through CVs in the last few months... and on the otherside of the NS there are opportunities if you speak a Scandinavian language.
However, if you do your IR and they aren't hiring anyone for a while, what will you do? A few positioning flights?
If you get an FI at least you can always earn some cash that way, and keep yourself current. Maybe build up to 1,000 hours so the NS operators take a little more notice, and during that time save for an IR?
Just a thought, because with 450 hours an IR is a gamble which may (hopefully) pay off, or may leave you high and dry.... unless of course you already have the FI
However, if you do your IR and they aren't hiring anyone for a while, what will you do? A few positioning flights?
If you get an FI at least you can always earn some cash that way, and keep yourself current. Maybe build up to 1,000 hours so the NS operators take a little more notice, and during that time save for an IR?
Just a thought, because with 450 hours an IR is a gamble which may (hopefully) pay off, or may leave you high and dry.... unless of course you already have the FI
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I really appreciate the quick response mongoose237!
I did instruct for 6 months in the US and I enjoyed it very much. After my return to Europe I considered the possibilities of instructing in the UK or somewhere else in Europe. I can only spend my money once so it's going to be a difficult decision between the IR and the FI. Guess the 'safest' option is to go the FI route (cheaper aswell) But on the other hand an offshore company might just be hiring and look at me as being worth giving a chance because of the IR. In the 'fixedwing world' company's work with seniority, is this the same with the offshore market?
Romeogulf
I did instruct for 6 months in the US and I enjoyed it very much. After my return to Europe I considered the possibilities of instructing in the UK or somewhere else in Europe. I can only spend my money once so it's going to be a difficult decision between the IR and the FI. Guess the 'safest' option is to go the FI route (cheaper aswell) But on the other hand an offshore company might just be hiring and look at me as being worth giving a chance because of the IR. In the 'fixedwing world' company's work with seniority, is this the same with the offshore market?
Romeogulf
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Contact the Head of Operations at the 'big 3' and find out:
CHC Scotia
Bond Helicopters
Bristows
Offshore will still be there in a year, and you are only 21 so have time on your side. More air experience plus an unrestricted FI can be a bonus, particularly if you fancy eventually becoming a "company man" offshore (training captain etc)
Will you have a way of staying in the industry if you get the IR but no offshore job for a while? If not, that has to be put into the equation as although we don't like to think like that, it could happen.
To answer your other question, the three companies are very different
CHC Scotia
Bond Helicopters
Bristows
Offshore will still be there in a year, and you are only 21 so have time on your side. More air experience plus an unrestricted FI can be a bonus, particularly if you fancy eventually becoming a "company man" offshore (training captain etc)
Will you have a way of staying in the industry if you get the IR but no offshore job for a while? If not, that has to be put into the equation as although we don't like to think like that, it could happen.
To answer your other question, the three companies are very different
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Maybe not much help to romeogulf, but this does seem to be a boom year for hiring in the North Sea.
Anecdotally Bond, who a couple of years ago poached a bunch of SFOs from Scotia to set up their operation are crying foul as Scotia are poaching their SFOs to fast track as commanders.
Bristow are hiring, but only those with IRs as their IR instruction team is required to fly the line!
Timing is everything in this industry so if you think you may fit someone's criteria for hiring, don't delay. Get your CV in with your best (realistic) offer of where you are now and where you could be in 3 months time if given a firm offer.
But before you sign on the dotted line please, please, please talk to BALPA and check what you are being offered. Over the last few years there have been some very dodgy contracts signed and people have found themselves without pension, insurance or proper recognition of what they have brought to the company. If they are not prepared to delay by 24 hours while you study the small print then they are trying to hide something and that something could screw you up for years to come.
O.A.
Anecdotally Bond, who a couple of years ago poached a bunch of SFOs from Scotia to set up their operation are crying foul as Scotia are poaching their SFOs to fast track as commanders.
Bristow are hiring, but only those with IRs as their IR instruction team is required to fly the line!
Timing is everything in this industry so if you think you may fit someone's criteria for hiring, don't delay. Get your CV in with your best (realistic) offer of where you are now and where you could be in 3 months time if given a firm offer.
But before you sign on the dotted line please, please, please talk to BALPA and check what you are being offered. Over the last few years there have been some very dodgy contracts signed and people have found themselves without pension, insurance or proper recognition of what they have brought to the company. If they are not prepared to delay by 24 hours while you study the small print then they are trying to hide something and that something could screw you up for years to come.
O.A.
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I have just over a thousand hours and an unrestricted FI, the problem for me is getting the money to pay for an IR. I have an FAA IR so get some discount on the training.
Does anyone have contact names for these people at the 3 big en's.
Do my hours count toward anything or is the IR the most important issue?
Thanks guys!
Does anyone have contact names for these people at the 3 big en's.
Do my hours count toward anything or is the IR the most important issue?
Thanks guys!
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I am interested in this Thread, I am one of the people who passed the aptitude / interview stage for CHC last year, letter arrived day after interview 'We will contact you for your sim ride soon,' nearly 6 months later no sim ride, no date offered and no information coming out of CHC HR. It is an obvious conclusion that the longer they hold off with the non IR candidates the more chance there is that IR jocks will come forward to fill the places.
Or am I just paranoid!!
Oil prices up, exploration of other oil fields up, pilots req'd up (hopefully)
Or am I just paranoid!!
Oil prices up, exploration of other oil fields up, pilots req'd up (hopefully)
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The_sheriff
I think you may be referred to http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=216744
(Although I'd like to hear what some might have to say directly...)
I think you may be referred to http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=216744
(Although I'd like to hear what some might have to say directly...)
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Bond "are you mad?"
Payne by name , Pain by nature. I certainly wouldn't touch Bond with a Barge pole if I was you. All they do is the minimum they have to to stop their pilots from leaving. Their latest scam is they have promised to match CHC's equal time roster. They have only said this as they can't afford to lose any pilots. You can gaurantee that as soon as CHC aren't hiring they will use there favourite line "if you don't like it you know what to do"(leave).
If you want to start on the North Sea avoid them like the plague Bristow and CHC are way superior employers. They both recognise BALPA.
They won't admit it as they are now stuck but if you get a chance to talk to any X-Bristow/CHC pilots who left to get quick commands you can be sure they wish they hadn't.
I hope this is of some use in steering you in the right direction, unless you have already started with Bond in which case you have my sympathy.
I don't work on the North Sea anymore as I have found a rich mug who will pay me more for less work but I do keep in touch with what is going on and I'm pretty sure my info is spot on. Good luck
If you want to start on the North Sea avoid them like the plague Bristow and CHC are way superior employers. They both recognise BALPA.
They won't admit it as they are now stuck but if you get a chance to talk to any X-Bristow/CHC pilots who left to get quick commands you can be sure they wish they hadn't.
I hope this is of some use in steering you in the right direction, unless you have already started with Bond in which case you have my sympathy.
I don't work on the North Sea anymore as I have found a rich mug who will pay me more for less work but I do keep in touch with what is going on and I'm pretty sure my info is spot on. Good luck
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They won't admit it as they are now stuck but if you get a chance to talk to any X-Bristow/CHC pilots who left to get quick commands you can be sure they wish they hadn't.
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Obvious answer
If the Bond pilots leave to Bristow/CHC they are on a much better deal. The thing that makes them stay(captured) is if they join either of the premier operators it is on a last in first out basis. Oil prices and N.Sea business can't stay at the ludicrously high prices they are currently. When the inevitable cyclical downturn happens they may be out of a job(only my reckoning, a crystal ball would be nice). It is my opinion that the Bond pilots being too spineless to even stand up and get BALPA recognised certainly would be too scared to jump ship with the chance(even though it is very slight) of being out of a job.
The N.Sea is as bouyant as it has been in my 15yrs of following it , but I don't blame the low hr co-jos(i was the same would jump at any offer of work), but surely if the skippers grew some balls they could demand BALPA to be recognised.
I won't rant on anymore as i worked happily for Bond for 4 yrs. in the past but they at least used lubrication back then.
All it takes is you guys to stick together as you are in such a strong position, force them to accept BALPA and watch your life improve beyond belief.
I may be a bit biased as i didn't leave under perfect circumstances (took them to court, and won), but i would love to see them paying and giving the same roster as the other companies.I've heard they are upping the salary but if you look how much the pilots work in comparison you are working for 25% less than the other operators.
I would almost like to come back just to be remembered as the person who stopped Bond's explotation and introduced BALPA. I won't as I am making too much money where I am but I really hope you guys grow some balls as you only have the next yr or 2 to force them to give you a roster/pension/pay deal.
It only takes a 75% majority and they have no choice (but maybe you all like it up the ass)
be out of a job(only my reckoning, a crystal ball would be nice). It is my opinion that the Bond pilots being too spineless to even stand up and get BALPA recognised certainly would be too scared to jump ship with the chance(even though it is very slight) of being out of a job.The N.Sea is as bouyant as it has been in my 15yrs of following it , but I don't blame the low hr co-jos(i was the same would jump at any offer of work), but surely if the skippers grew some balls they could demand BALPA to be recognised.
I won't rant on anymore as i worked happily for Bond for 4 yrs. in the past but they at least used lubrication back then.
All it takes is you guys to stick together as you are in such a strong position, force them to accept BALPA and watch your life improve beyond belief.
I may be a bit biased as i didn't leave under perfect circumstances (took them to court, and won), but i would love to see them paying and giving the same roster as the other companies.I've heard they are upping the salary but if you look how much the pilots work in comparison you are working for 25% less than the other operators.
I would almost like to come back just to be remembered as the person who stopped Bond's explotation and introduced BALPA. I won't as I am making too much money where I am but I really hope you guys grow some balls as you only have the next yr or 2 to force them to give you a roster/pension/pay deal.
It only takes a 75% majority and they have no choice (but maybe you all like it up the ass)
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Do northsea companies ever pay for IR's?? if they do how long are you bonded for,do you get paid less as well? guess im trying to figure out if its better to pay for your own IR or not??
JW.
JW.
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Interesting comments by "northseawannabe-not". Rumour has it that some of the SAR Commanders for Bond's "Jigsaw" operation have tended their resignations as they aren't happy with the way the operation is being run by the management. However, some of them may have withdrawn them as there was evidently a change to their "terms and conditions"!
One wonders why experienced pilots such as these are wanting to leave this operation which has only really just started, especially if (as rumoured) they haven't got another job to go to?
One wonders why experienced pilots such as these are wanting to leave this operation which has only really just started, especially if (as rumoured) they haven't got another job to go to?
