Pilots who went on strike let go by PHI
This might work also as an efficency exericise for the oil company....now they might even have to plan some of their flights instead of merely whistling up another cab....but somehow I fail to see that happening on the long term. Boudreaux likes his fishing.
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GLSNightPilotRegardless of whether they are owned or leased, the registered owner is not PHI.
For someone with absolutely, positively, no business relationshipe whatsoever with PHI, you certainly have a lot of detailed knowledge of things they generally try to keep secret. Methinks I still have to call BS on that.
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Walks like a duck, talks like a duck... and only posts on the PHI thread. Go figure.
From what I've read, he's probably not worth whatever they are paying him.
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The one thing I don't get is all of the oil companies have so much money they don't know what to do with it. In the long run, wouldn't it be cheaper for them to buy up PHI, Air Log, Era, etc. and each have their own fleet to satisfy their transport needs. I mean, if your contracting out to an operator, the operator has to make a profit, so naturally your paying for costs plus profit margin. Why not buy the helicopters and get the services at cost?
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northseaspray,
I think some inside word and opposite point of view is healthy, I wish Al Gonsoulin would post his thoughts, too.
I always thought the web was great, this thread and others like it prove how valuable it is to have open forums for us to debate, rant and discuss.
I think some inside word and opposite point of view is healthy, I wish Al Gonsoulin would post his thoughts, too.
I always thought the web was great, this thread and others like it prove how valuable it is to have open forums for us to debate, rant and discuss.
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In the long run, wouldn't it be cheaper for them to buy up PHI, Air Log, Era, etc. and each have their own fleet to satisfy their transport needs.
Northseaspray....step to the head of the class and collect your Gold Star!
US term for such folks is ...... "Buster"!
Hired gun who is hired by some outfit fighting a union....whose sole job is to use every means possible to serve their customer's goal.
The bait was dangled....and swallowed hook line and sinker.
Now for the latest Gossip.....
All S-92's are flying....thanks primarily to more than a few Sikorsky Production Test Pilots manning the cockpits.
All of the little birds are flying......but for all intents and purposes....the 76 and 412 fleet are not.
Union solidarity is holding.....
AL G is quoted by some to have made the statement...."I will bust the Union no matter what it costs....no matter the damage to PHI."
If that is the case.....I hope the other Share Holders take note and hire some sharp Lawyers....it might cost the ol' boy more than inventing Chicken Lips.
Hey Nick....since you are no longer beholding to really senior management at Sikorsky.....can you tell us what the policies were about Sikorsky pilots helping out as strike busters was when you were there? Who picks up their salary.....Sikorsky or PHI? Who signs the contract....the Sikorsky pilots or Sikorsky itself? When you were out flying with the customer....did you and another Sikorsky pilot do Revenue runs or was it always one Company pilot and one Sikorsky pilot?
US term for such folks is ...... "Buster"!
Hired gun who is hired by some outfit fighting a union....whose sole job is to use every means possible to serve their customer's goal.
The bait was dangled....and swallowed hook line and sinker.
Now for the latest Gossip.....
All S-92's are flying....thanks primarily to more than a few Sikorsky Production Test Pilots manning the cockpits.
All of the little birds are flying......but for all intents and purposes....the 76 and 412 fleet are not.
Union solidarity is holding.....
AL G is quoted by some to have made the statement...."I will bust the Union no matter what it costs....no matter the damage to PHI."
If that is the case.....I hope the other Share Holders take note and hire some sharp Lawyers....it might cost the ol' boy more than inventing Chicken Lips.
Hey Nick....since you are no longer beholding to really senior management at Sikorsky.....can you tell us what the policies were about Sikorsky pilots helping out as strike busters was when you were there? Who picks up their salary.....Sikorsky or PHI? Who signs the contract....the Sikorsky pilots or Sikorsky itself? When you were out flying with the customer....did you and another Sikorsky pilot do Revenue runs or was it always one Company pilot and one Sikorsky pilot?
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"Hey Nick....since you are no longer beholding to really senior management at Sikorsky.....can you tell us what the policies were about Sikorsky pilots helping out as strike busters was when you were there? Who picks up their salary.....Sikorsky or PHI? Who signs the contract....the Sikorsky pilots or Sikorsky itself? When you were out flying with the customer....did you and another Sikorsky pilot do Revenue runs or was it always one Company pilot and one Sikorsky pilot?"
SASless
Since Nick is only one of a few who have balls enough to go by name. I certainly think your putting him on the spot. Thats getting a little internal about another company. Sort of unfair in my estimation. Am I wrong??
SASless
Since Nick is only one of a few who have balls enough to go by name. I certainly think your putting him on the spot. Thats getting a little internal about another company. Sort of unfair in my estimation. Am I wrong??
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It has been tried a couple of times. Exxon had its own air force, and decided it was cheaper in the long run to lease. Tenneco did the same. If you have your own aircraft, you are responsible for maintenance, for spares, for parts, for mechanics, pilots, dispatchers, flight following, and everything else, including insurance. If a helicopter breaks, you can't use it. As it is, they all get free spare aircraft and don't have to worry about replacements. Economy of scale makes a big difference. The only company currently having its own fleet is Chevron, and they do some Part 135 work on the side to help make some money.
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SASless,
You know how tough it is, don't you? I have always played straight with ppruners, and can't stop now. Thanks,BSousa, but I will field this one now.
Reminder - I speak for nobody but me, now or in the past.
I said earlier on this thread that it would be hard to tell my boss that I wouldn't do my job, if I was directly told to do it. I would possibly head out to the helo, after I explained to him in clear terms what it was doing to me and to the guys I respect so much. (I say possibly because I think you can only be positive about what you would do when it is not theoretical, when your skin is in the game, like it is for the strikers.)
Test pilots are on the management staff at levels like very senior engineering supervisors, so it not just in name, but in grade, and in the way they are treated. You yourself said you crossed picket lines when in management (but you brought them donuts, and I bet you even took one.)
You know how tough it is, don't you? I have always played straight with ppruners, and can't stop now. Thanks,BSousa, but I will field this one now.
Reminder - I speak for nobody but me, now or in the past.
I said earlier on this thread that it would be hard to tell my boss that I wouldn't do my job, if I was directly told to do it. I would possibly head out to the helo, after I explained to him in clear terms what it was doing to me and to the guys I respect so much. (I say possibly because I think you can only be positive about what you would do when it is not theoretical, when your skin is in the game, like it is for the strikers.)
Test pilots are on the management staff at levels like very senior engineering supervisors, so it not just in name, but in grade, and in the way they are treated. You yourself said you crossed picket lines when in management (but you brought them donuts, and I bet you even took one.)
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Yes, IHTI now does the flying for Exxon, but before IHTI was activated for them, they had own aviation division. It reportedly became too expensive and troublesome to be worth keeping.
Nick,
Definitely took a donut and had a cup of coffee with the guys walking the line. I was flying one of the company helicopters and daily visited the mill with the Regional Manager, Timber Buyer, and Comptroller, and assorted corporate staff.
I had no loss of respect for the folks who elected to strike, they had their own reasons for doing so. I likewise had no problem with the company continuing to run the mill without them. That is business.
The Regional Manager was able to defeat the union movement but did so without recourse to outside consultants or creating hard feelings between any group of folks. Concessions were made on both sides and the mill returned to normal operation with the same crew overtime.
Probably the key difference between what is going on at PHI and that mill is our decisions were guided by principal, integrity, and reason. It was a trying time for all concerned no doubt but somehow we got through it without it ruining the mill, the employees, or the profitability of the business.
When I crossed that picket line....I was not replacing a worker, did not participate in any other work than that I was hired to do....that being "Fly the Helicopter".
Let me point out the relationship our Regional Manager had with the mill workers. One afternoon late...we left a mill north of Seattle heading for Olympia. Weather being a bit bad, we opted to head for the low ground and pick up I-5 southbound. A few miles from the mill we passed over a house fire and noticed there was no fire units on scene. We contacted the mill, had them call 911 and landed in a field next to the house. While I shutdown the aircraft the Manager ran to the house with the intent to make sure everyone was out of the house....and encountered one of our mill hands who had just gotten home from work. Everyone was safe but the house burnt to the ground.
The manager gave the worker his personal credit card, told him to use it like it was his own, buy whatever he needed, told him to take all the time off he needed to sort his family out, asked him to call in each day to report how he was doing and tell the Manager of any help he needed. We emptied our pockets and gave the guy every red cent we had. In our mills, any late arrival, early departure, or missed day of work removed the employee from the weekly production bonus.....the manager waived that for the fellow....and the entire mill donated their bonus to the family for a month until they got back on their feet.
The Manager paid the credit card bills without a word for two months.
One can be hard in business but still treat people with respect and care.
It pays off far more than some can imagine.
I still go Elk Hunting with this Manager....and some of the strikers....in the same camp after all these years.
Definitely took a donut and had a cup of coffee with the guys walking the line. I was flying one of the company helicopters and daily visited the mill with the Regional Manager, Timber Buyer, and Comptroller, and assorted corporate staff.
I had no loss of respect for the folks who elected to strike, they had their own reasons for doing so. I likewise had no problem with the company continuing to run the mill without them. That is business.
The Regional Manager was able to defeat the union movement but did so without recourse to outside consultants or creating hard feelings between any group of folks. Concessions were made on both sides and the mill returned to normal operation with the same crew overtime.
Probably the key difference between what is going on at PHI and that mill is our decisions were guided by principal, integrity, and reason. It was a trying time for all concerned no doubt but somehow we got through it without it ruining the mill, the employees, or the profitability of the business.
When I crossed that picket line....I was not replacing a worker, did not participate in any other work than that I was hired to do....that being "Fly the Helicopter".
Let me point out the relationship our Regional Manager had with the mill workers. One afternoon late...we left a mill north of Seattle heading for Olympia. Weather being a bit bad, we opted to head for the low ground and pick up I-5 southbound. A few miles from the mill we passed over a house fire and noticed there was no fire units on scene. We contacted the mill, had them call 911 and landed in a field next to the house. While I shutdown the aircraft the Manager ran to the house with the intent to make sure everyone was out of the house....and encountered one of our mill hands who had just gotten home from work. Everyone was safe but the house burnt to the ground.
The manager gave the worker his personal credit card, told him to use it like it was his own, buy whatever he needed, told him to take all the time off he needed to sort his family out, asked him to call in each day to report how he was doing and tell the Manager of any help he needed. We emptied our pockets and gave the guy every red cent we had. In our mills, any late arrival, early departure, or missed day of work removed the employee from the weekly production bonus.....the manager waived that for the fellow....and the entire mill donated their bonus to the family for a month until they got back on their feet.
The Manager paid the credit card bills without a word for two months.
One can be hard in business but still treat people with respect and care.
It pays off far more than some can imagine.
I still go Elk Hunting with this Manager....and some of the strikers....in the same camp after all these years.
Just a couple of additional notes...
.
As for the strike, I also have a dog in this hunt, and have friends on both sides. I just would like to see a few more bits of info thrown in for the discussion - just as I have provided above.
- RotorAids preceded PHI / IHTI for Exxon (SA316's and 205's on fixed floats)
- Exxon still owns the aircraft and spares - PHI only maintains / flys them
- Mobil had their own flight department - until just before merger with Exxon
- Taylor Energy flys Eurocopter products
- El Paso still operates their own aircraft
- Chevron (I believe) only operates in the GOM, everywhere else is contract - PHI in Cabinda, etc.
- Rowan had their own aircraft (ERA)
- Devon has EC120's maintained / flown by AirDog
.
As for the strike, I also have a dog in this hunt, and have friends on both sides. I just would like to see a few more bits of info thrown in for the discussion - just as I have provided above.
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El Paso may have some aircraft somewhere, but not in the Gulf of Mexico. All their offshore flying is contracted.
I forgot about Mobil. One of their 206s scared me to death one night, with about 50 feet vis both up and down, along Highway 87 between High Island and Sabine Pass. I was driving, and he was taking up most of the road.
Taylor has one or two aircraft, but they're a very small company.
Era was a subsidiary, and long since divested. Owning a Part 135 company isn't quite the same, and it's long gone now.
It would be easy enough for the oil companies to have their own flight departments, but it's expensive (mostly because of the management salaries required), and none have so far shown much inclination to do it. It's not impossible, but I don't think it's very likely.
I forgot about Mobil. One of their 206s scared me to death one night, with about 50 feet vis both up and down, along Highway 87 between High Island and Sabine Pass. I was driving, and he was taking up most of the road.
Taylor has one or two aircraft, but they're a very small company.
Era was a subsidiary, and long since divested. Owning a Part 135 company isn't quite the same, and it's long gone now.
It would be easy enough for the oil companies to have their own flight departments, but it's expensive (mostly because of the management salaries required), and none have so far shown much inclination to do it. It's not impossible, but I don't think it's very likely.
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II, your numbers are not correct - not for the number on strike, nor for the number of aircraft flying. Pilots inquiring to other operators are mostly being told the operators are afraid the pilots will return to PHI when the strike is over, but come back when the strike ends. You may be comfortable, but we're not.
You are correct that there are no negotiations. PHI has failed to respond to the NMB, and refuses to talk. The quarterly report will be interesting. That legally has to be correct, or someone could spend some time in a vacation resort wearing coveralls.
You are correct that there are no negotiations. PHI has failed to respond to the NMB, and refuses to talk. The quarterly report will be interesting. That legally has to be correct, or someone could spend some time in a vacation resort wearing coveralls.
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"Numbers on strike: Roughly 180 or 31% of PHI's pilot workforce of 570 pilots are still on strike."
If that is correct, the strikers may be in trouble.
"That legally has to be correct, or someone could spend some time in a vacation resort wearing coveralls."
Excuse me, We are talking Louisiana here, political criminal behavior is a way of life.
If that is correct, the strikers may be in trouble.
"That legally has to be correct, or someone could spend some time in a vacation resort wearing coveralls."
Excuse me, We are talking Louisiana here, political criminal behavior is a way of life.
Land of the Kingfish....ya'll do remember how Lousiana, law,justice, and integrity go? One thing about it though....once a Lousiana politician or judge is bought....he stays bought.
FBI payed this skunk 100,000 USD in cash....recorded the serial numbers beforehand....searched the skunk's home and found 90,000 USD by serial number in the crook's freezer.
He is still out free and in office!
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/...rch/index.html
FBI payed this skunk 100,000 USD in cash....recorded the serial numbers beforehand....searched the skunk's home and found 90,000 USD by serial number in the crook's freezer.
He is still out free and in office!
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/...rch/index.html
Bristow moved its corporate offices to Houston recently....just as other companies have done in the past.
An article that talks of the "proud" history of Louisana.
http://www.bestofneworleans.com/disp...commentary.php
An article that talks of the "proud" history of Louisana.
http://www.bestofneworleans.com/disp...commentary.php