GOM Gossip
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GOM Gossip
Just wondering if anyone can give me advice on GOM offshore flying. I've had harsh jobs before in my life but I'm wondering if it's as bad as some say it is.
Also, if any of you could advise me on what too avoid in applying for this job and where NOT to live(or apply) would be appreciated.
Thanks
Also, if any of you could advise me on what too avoid in applying for this job and where NOT to live(or apply) would be appreciated.
Thanks
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Over here
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't think there's one answer. Some jobs are very good, some very bad, and most in between. If you don't mind flying over water, and aren't afraid to say no, then you should do ok. Some people take that first flight out over the water, and just can't handle it.
As for where to live, you can live anywhere. With a 7/7 or 14/14 schedule, you aren't tied to the Gulf coast. Air Log may not be the best place to go right now, with a strike vote being taken, but otherwise I have no particular advice, other than try the larger companies first, because you'll have a better chance of surviving. As a general rule, the smaller the company, the smaller the maintenance, and the bigger the push to fly. Admittedly, that's a sweeping generalization.
As for where to live, you can live anywhere. With a 7/7 or 14/14 schedule, you aren't tied to the Gulf coast. Air Log may not be the best place to go right now, with a strike vote being taken, but otherwise I have no particular advice, other than try the larger companies first, because you'll have a better chance of surviving. As a general rule, the smaller the company, the smaller the maintenance, and the bigger the push to fly. Admittedly, that's a sweeping generalization.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the advice on large vs. small company preference.
I can't say water is my favorite terrain too fly over but neither is high altitude granite with strong wind gusts either...
I guess what it boils down to is a willingness and determination to accept the pro's and con's of any job.
Does anyone know where some of the more desirable places to live down south when GOM flying? How close do most companies want you to be anyway?
I can't say water is my favorite terrain too fly over but neither is high altitude granite with strong wind gusts either...
I guess what it boils down to is a willingness and determination to accept the pro's and con's of any job.
Does anyone know where some of the more desirable places to live down south when GOM flying? How close do most companies want you to be anyway?
GOM Operators raised rates 30% in a year?
Read this article today....an interesting article...amongst the tidbits contained there is the following....
Graves points out that each of the three major helicopter operators in the Gulf raised rates last year by 30%.
"The increase in rates we charge oil company clients enabled us to play catch-up and replace aging aircraft," he explains. "We also had to improve compensation for pilots and mechanics, to retain people and reduce high employee turnover. It was long overdue."
The link follows.....
http://www.aviationtoday.com/cgi/rw/...02offshore.htm
Graves points out that each of the three major helicopter operators in the Gulf raised rates last year by 30%.
"The increase in rates we charge oil company clients enabled us to play catch-up and replace aging aircraft," he explains. "We also had to improve compensation for pilots and mechanics, to retain people and reduce high employee turnover. It was long overdue."
The link follows.....
http://www.aviationtoday.com/cgi/rw/...02offshore.htm
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Avon, CT, USA
Age: 68
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quote from article: "hover at $27 a barrel"
What I don't like about "Aviation Today" articles is that they don't have a date when it was written. I wish they would change that.
What I don't like about "Aviation Today" articles is that they don't have a date when it was written. I wish they would change that.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Questions for the GOM guys...
How many pilots are employed on the GOM and where are the major hubs around the Gulf? Is it predominantly oil or gas ? Is the field expanding in exploration and how long is it estimated that there are resources left there?
Thanks guys !
Thanks guys !
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Over here
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't have an exact number of pilots, but it's well over 1,000. PHI and Air Log have that many between them, nevermind Era and all the rest. It's almost entirely oil and gas, or at least support of it. There is more exploration going on all the time, much of it now in the deepwater areas well over 100NM offshore, and there is plenty of hydrocarbon resources available for the foreseeable future.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New York
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With around 4,000 offshore structures and 15,000 workers "camping out" offshore each night, there are plenty of aircraft needed.
A guess would be 1,000+ pilots in the GOM with PHI the largest followed by AirLog at just under 300 pilots, and ERA making the big three. There are a couple handfull of other operators: Omni, Houston, Republic, Evergreen that provide serice to the oil & gas companies and a few oil companies operate their own fleets of varying size from 3 or 4 to 10+: Taylor, Exon, Chevron, El Paso, etc.
There are bases from the SW Texan coastline through to the eastern end of Louisiana with several companies operating out of Galveston, TX, Sabine,LA Cameron, LA, Morgan City, LA,m Intracoastal City and Venice, LA. Most companies are headquartered in LA.
That should get you started and there's plenty of GOM people here who can answer more specific questions.
Im not a Gomer yet, but hoping to head that way next month.
Regards,
James
A guess would be 1,000+ pilots in the GOM with PHI the largest followed by AirLog at just under 300 pilots, and ERA making the big three. There are a couple handfull of other operators: Omni, Houston, Republic, Evergreen that provide serice to the oil & gas companies and a few oil companies operate their own fleets of varying size from 3 or 4 to 10+: Taylor, Exon, Chevron, El Paso, etc.
There are bases from the SW Texan coastline through to the eastern end of Louisiana with several companies operating out of Galveston, TX, Sabine,LA Cameron, LA, Morgan City, LA,m Intracoastal City and Venice, LA. Most companies are headquartered in LA.
That should get you started and there's plenty of GOM people here who can answer more specific questions.
Im not a Gomer yet, but hoping to head that way next month.
Regards,
James
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, see you out there then. I hope also. Ok, that might be a little optimistic way to start but, some how you need to do it.
Is there possibilities to guy who has 5000 hours with 2500 turbine (all by the helos) and a new green card on a pocket? Got a FAA licence asap.
Need a adwise what is the best contact?
Is there possibilities to guy who has 5000 hours with 2500 turbine (all by the helos) and a new green card on a pocket? Got a FAA licence asap.
Need a adwise what is the best contact?
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Over here
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With 5,000 hrs helicopter time you shouldn't have a problem. The larger operators have websites which will give you contact information. Just put the company name into Google and you can find them.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New York
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Single engine ships B206B/L, AS350, EC120 ,etc are VFR only and single pilot. There are also some twin VFR aircraft Bo105s and AS355 flown single pilot. The IFR ships are twins generally B212, 412, S76 and are two-crew.
As many operators work pilots 7 days on / 7 days off (or 14/14, with a few 5/2 and 4/3), there are at least two crew per aircraft for the different work schedules, or "hitches". The larger companies also operate pilot pools where pilots are assigned to aircraft at differing locations based upon company need.
James
As many operators work pilots 7 days on / 7 days off (or 14/14, with a few 5/2 and 4/3), there are at least two crew per aircraft for the different work schedules, or "hitches". The larger companies also operate pilot pools where pilots are assigned to aircraft at differing locations based upon company need.
James
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Over here
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are pretty much 2 crews/aircraft across the board. As the saying goes, "There are no holidays in the oil patch", so it's definitely a 365 days/year operation. Almost all jobs are 1 for 1, either 7/7 or 14/14, so you need 2 crews/aircraft. It's actually a little less than that, because there are a few 5/2 jobs, and not all aircraft are covered fulltime, but that's the norm. Most are single-pilot, but all mediums are 2-pilot, because FAR 135 requires 2 pilots for any aircraft configured with 10 or more passenger seats. Thus the number of pilots is more than twice the number of aircraft.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: One Mile High
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The demand for new pilots in the GoM is pretty steady these days. PHI has been hiring about four per month for the last several years.
The companies can afford to be somewhat selective in their hiring at the moment, but attitude is all important. A 1000 hour guy may very well impress the interviewers over a more experienced pilot.
Most companies are looking for pilots who will minimize their training and operating costs. Therefore, if you can convince them you'll be easy on the equipment, will keep the customer happy, and will stay for the long haul you'll be more attractive than someone who plans to use this as a stepping stone.
Relations with management vary from company to company. At PHI they are now and have for some time been pretty cordial.
-Stan-
The companies can afford to be somewhat selective in their hiring at the moment, but attitude is all important. A 1000 hour guy may very well impress the interviewers over a more experienced pilot.
Most companies are looking for pilots who will minimize their training and operating costs. Therefore, if you can convince them you'll be easy on the equipment, will keep the customer happy, and will stay for the long haul you'll be more attractive than someone who plans to use this as a stepping stone.
Relations with management vary from company to company. At PHI they are now and have for some time been pretty cordial.
-Stan-
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Over here
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Each operator has its own requirements. I haven't heard of 500 hours being enough, but I don't keep up with every company, because there are just too many, and I already have a job.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: USA
Age: 54
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm sorry to say this, but 500 hours of experience just isn't enough to survive in the Gulf, both literally and metaphorically speaking.
It's not an especially difficult job, but it does require you to be able to put it all together: weather knowledge, aircraft familiarity, flying skills, administrative skills, customer service, efficiency, productivity and most importantly; common sense.
500 hours of experience roughly equates to a six-month stint as a flight instructor at a busy flight school. Which is not enough time to master all of the above skills sufficiently.
I respectfully submit that you'll need around 1,500 hours of experience, and that reputable offshore companies will tend to think so, too.
It's not an especially difficult job, but it does require you to be able to put it all together: weather knowledge, aircraft familiarity, flying skills, administrative skills, customer service, efficiency, productivity and most importantly; common sense.
500 hours of experience roughly equates to a six-month stint as a flight instructor at a busy flight school. Which is not enough time to master all of the above skills sufficiently.
I respectfully submit that you'll need around 1,500 hours of experience, and that reputable offshore companies will tend to think so, too.