CHC global - Pilots and Engineers
Join Date: Jan 2006
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HJ,
Not all the Nationals that our partners provide us to fly with are up to the job for a variety of reasons. I have several thousand hours flying with Nationals that, while they were almost all nice guys, can best be described as seat warmers. Their presence fulfilled our commitments to the local government and partner company.
Any time we come across a "keeper" we do just that, and they would be hired directly by CHC GO. That's where most of the non-CAN,UK,US,OZ, Kiwi, etc. pilots come from. Having said that though we have not been able to "keep" all the good ones we have found. Some times "political" reasons preclude our hiring some of the keepers.
The latest is one of our Azeri pilots. He has left Azerbaijan and in so doing has made himself eligible for hire by CHC GO and guess what, we did.
So you see HJ, when pilots, from anywhere, are employed by CHC GO, they are all treated equally. When they are employed by our partners they are paid in accordance with their company's compensation package.
Not all the Nationals that our partners provide us to fly with are up to the job for a variety of reasons. I have several thousand hours flying with Nationals that, while they were almost all nice guys, can best be described as seat warmers. Their presence fulfilled our commitments to the local government and partner company.
Any time we come across a "keeper" we do just that, and they would be hired directly by CHC GO. That's where most of the non-CAN,UK,US,OZ, Kiwi, etc. pilots come from. Having said that though we have not been able to "keep" all the good ones we have found. Some times "political" reasons preclude our hiring some of the keepers.
The latest is one of our Azeri pilots. He has left Azerbaijan and in so doing has made himself eligible for hire by CHC GO and guess what, we did.
So you see HJ, when pilots, from anywhere, are employed by CHC GO, they are all treated equally. When they are employed by our partners they are paid in accordance with their company's compensation package.
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when pilots, from anywhere, are employed by CHC GO, they are all treated equally
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CHC is supposed to defer to the highest safety standard, so why would they have seat warmers. Surely this just loads up the Captain and I am sure he doesn't get paid anymore for the job.
I believe that the expats go to Flight Safety, what happens with the local pilots. Do they all go to FSI as well????
I believe that the expats go to Flight Safety, what happens with the local pilots. Do they all go to FSI as well????
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CHC pays lip-service to the highest safety standards, then do just whatever they need to stop anyone making waves - well it's rapidly backfiring against them in Nigeria now with even more expats wanting to leave and actively looking - and there's plenty of work out there.
Local pilots go to FS if they can get visas, but it doesn't matter, because pass or fail, they'll still be there on the line as soon as they get back, exactly the same as the expats
Local pilots go to FS if they can get visas, but it doesn't matter, because pass or fail, they'll still be there on the line as soon as they get back, exactly the same as the expats
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right!
So the Carmine Pooch shows up here as well from time to time.
He speaks the truth here gang. CHC GO hires the competent whenever and wherever. It's not always possible or efficient but when it is we do it.
I worked with a Thai pilot in Iran. Full Captain on full GO salary.
He speaks the truth here gang. CHC GO hires the competent whenever and wherever. It's not always possible or efficient but when it is we do it.
I worked with a Thai pilot in Iran. Full Captain on full GO salary.
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"I believe that the expats go to Flight Safety, what happens with the local pilots. Do they all go to FSI as well????"
Heli-Jet,
Yes, they do. In fact there are more dollar$ spent on training locals than expats...
Now, did you hear the story when CHC arrived in, for them new territory and not being familiar with local currency (CFA) by mistake punched wrong numbers on the calculator, adding one zero in error and local copilot got an offer which was more than his expat Captain's.
What is the expat Captain supposed to do? Change his GO contract for a local one??
Heli-Jet,
Yes, they do. In fact there are more dollar$ spent on training locals than expats...
Now, did you hear the story when CHC arrived in, for them new territory and not being familiar with local currency (CFA) by mistake punched wrong numbers on the calculator, adding one zero in error and local copilot got an offer which was more than his expat Captain's.
What is the expat Captain supposed to do? Change his GO contract for a local one??
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Things are now so bad in the 'tropical paradise' with senior expats wanting to leave that BC is rumored to be arriving very soon. I think it's too late and more people are going to walk very soon unless he takes rapid and drastic measures to stop the rot.
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Aquila 13, no offence taken, I think you hit the nail on the head. I like the way you dealt with the facts, you have a clear understanding of the situation.
I believe BC will always pay low end and drags his calculator out to make his point. Believe me it hasn't gone un-noticed. The trouble with the local pilots is that they have always been thankful for having a job and never complained. But times are a changing, oil prices have rised dramatically and CHC have had good times. We would like to share some of that.
Locals have also worked longer throughout the year and have envied the expats returning to 1st world countries where everythng works, enjoying 6 weeks of rest. I am glad the point was made about the UK locals been the highest paid. The expats spend time away from home pickup tropical diseases and are away from families and I don't think they are compensated adequately for the work done, so really BC should re-examine the whole pay structure and get in line with what the oil companies pay their employees, if you ever get to see a contract that is drawn up between the oil companies and CHC and the money that is allocated to pilots and engineers you would be shocked.
I believe BC will always pay low end and drags his calculator out to make his point. Believe me it hasn't gone un-noticed. The trouble with the local pilots is that they have always been thankful for having a job and never complained. But times are a changing, oil prices have rised dramatically and CHC have had good times. We would like to share some of that.
Locals have also worked longer throughout the year and have envied the expats returning to 1st world countries where everythng works, enjoying 6 weeks of rest. I am glad the point was made about the UK locals been the highest paid. The expats spend time away from home pickup tropical diseases and are away from families and I don't think they are compensated adequately for the work done, so really BC should re-examine the whole pay structure and get in line with what the oil companies pay their employees, if you ever get to see a contract that is drawn up between the oil companies and CHC and the money that is allocated to pilots and engineers you would be shocked.
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HJ,
Not that old chestnut again! That's like the other old chestnut that the oil companies were paying for Business Class airfares for us.
As a past Base Manager I have read many CHC / Oil company contracts and there were no separate amounts tabulated for crew unless the oil company decides to add a crew, ie night standby crew, after the fact. The oil company stipulates their crew requirements in the tender and CHC includes that into the monthly and hourly aircraft rate. Remember, you are just an aircraft component.
You are right about the justification for the pay difference between GO and Europe but you aren't listening about the difference between GO and the locals. The locals are employed by their local company or government. CHC is usually a minority partner in these deals and other than utilizing the crew that they are given, have very little say in their employment details.
Hey Delaminator. How's it going B'ye?
Not that old chestnut again! That's like the other old chestnut that the oil companies were paying for Business Class airfares for us.
As a past Base Manager I have read many CHC / Oil company contracts and there were no separate amounts tabulated for crew unless the oil company decides to add a crew, ie night standby crew, after the fact. The oil company stipulates their crew requirements in the tender and CHC includes that into the monthly and hourly aircraft rate. Remember, you are just an aircraft component.
You are right about the justification for the pay difference between GO and Europe but you aren't listening about the difference between GO and the locals. The locals are employed by their local company or government. CHC is usually a minority partner in these deals and other than utilizing the crew that they are given, have very little say in their employment details.
Hey Delaminator. How's it going B'ye?
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I think CHC is simply trying to save as much as they can. They have to pay North sea guys more because of history and past deals made with the union and the fact that every salary in the UKs are higher than most of the western world.
GO crews are paid less than CHC Europe because CHC can and nationals are paid even lower because CHC/(local partner) can.
GO crews are paid less than CHC Europe because CHC can and nationals are paid even lower because CHC/(local partner) can.
Aquila 13,
If this movement thing is gaining momentum, then why does it only cover CHC GO heli pilots?? Why not the fixed wing pilot, and why not the engineers?? Seems to be that nobody else is good enough for this collective.
If you are looking at a movement like they have in the UK, then forget it. Pilots got a 43% payrise at one stage, and engineers got zip. Great relations between pilots and engineers. Not!!!
You end up turning into a company of backstabbing
just to make an extra buck. If you want to work like that, go to Bristows instead.
I'll be interested to see how the union/CHC court case goes, as I would like to know how Canadian labour laws will be applied to non-Canadian residents working outside of Canada, for companies who's major shareholding is owned by a non-Canadian company.
Interesting times ahead.
If this movement thing is gaining momentum, then why does it only cover CHC GO heli pilots?? Why not the fixed wing pilot, and why not the engineers?? Seems to be that nobody else is good enough for this collective.
If you are looking at a movement like they have in the UK, then forget it. Pilots got a 43% payrise at one stage, and engineers got zip. Great relations between pilots and engineers. Not!!!
You end up turning into a company of backstabbing
just to make an extra buck. If you want to work like that, go to Bristows instead.I'll be interested to see how the union/CHC court case goes, as I would like to know how Canadian labour laws will be applied to non-Canadian residents working outside of Canada, for companies who's major shareholding is owned by a non-Canadian company.
Interesting times ahead.
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"Why not the fixed wing pilot, and why not the engineers?? Seems to be that nobody else is good enough for this collective."
Well Noooby, if you really are a newby, it would probably have been a better idea to phrase that as a question rather than making assumptions.
We did everything we could think of including bending over and soaping up for them but the engineers, except for a couple, would not play along and there were no fixed wing pilots when we started done this road. I'm sure that when the association actually gets going the fixed wing drivers will be more than welcome.
Well Noooby, if you really are a newby, it would probably have been a better idea to phrase that as a question rather than making assumptions.
We did everything we could think of including bending over and soaping up for them but the engineers, except for a couple, would not play along and there were no fixed wing pilots when we started done this road. I'm sure that when the association actually gets going the fixed wing drivers will be more than welcome.
No fixed wing pilots when you started down this road?? Surely not. Unless this has been moving along exteeeeemly slow. The fixed wing ACN/CHC guys have been around for quite a while and I was told they weren't on the invitation list.
When the engineers in Nigeria were told of the rumours of the 'collective' a few months back, not one of the ones that I talked to knew anything about it, and quite a few of the pilots were of the opinion that it was basically invitation only.
Personally I'm of the opinion that it isn't really necessary, my experiences with unions and 'collectives' has been mixed. They usually start out OK, but then somebody gets antsy, and it all turns very militant. In the end nobody really wins. I'm quite happy with the pay and condtions in PHC. I've worked for less money and worse conditions in crappier places. But that is just me, I'm relatively easy to please. Money isn't my prime motivator, job satisfaction is. Shame that so many these days will do anything to get an extra $. I guess, for some, the grass will forever be greener on the other side of the fence.
My 2cents
When the engineers in Nigeria were told of the rumours of the 'collective' a few months back, not one of the ones that I talked to knew anything about it, and quite a few of the pilots were of the opinion that it was basically invitation only.
Personally I'm of the opinion that it isn't really necessary, my experiences with unions and 'collectives' has been mixed. They usually start out OK, but then somebody gets antsy, and it all turns very militant. In the end nobody really wins. I'm quite happy with the pay and condtions in PHC. I've worked for less money and worse conditions in crappier places. But that is just me, I'm relatively easy to please. Money isn't my prime motivator, job satisfaction is. Shame that so many these days will do anything to get an extra $. I guess, for some, the grass will forever be greener on the other side of the fence.
My 2cents
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Aquila13,
You're also a bit confused - nooby works for CHC, not Bristow.
Last year CHC Global pilots set out to form an association, which is now in existence, but with many doubts as to whether it can succeed without becoming a union and even whether it's a legal entity in Canadian law, as the pilots do not work for a Canadian company, are employed outside Canada and most of them are not Canadian.
You're also a bit confused - nooby works for CHC, not Bristow.
Last year CHC Global pilots set out to form an association, which is now in existence, but with many doubts as to whether it can succeed without becoming a union and even whether it's a legal entity in Canadian law, as the pilots do not work for a Canadian company, are employed outside Canada and most of them are not Canadian.
Thankyou MamaPut, I didn't think I was that confusing in what I was saying.
Aquila just assumed I worked for one company not the other, and assumed that I worked as an operational pilot in that company, instead of working in the capacity that I really work in.
Money is nice, yes, but relationships between different professions within a company is equally as important, for the long term sustainability of an operation.
Getting a bit Off Topic here, so will return to the regular broadcast.
Aquila just assumed I worked for one company not the other, and assumed that I worked as an operational pilot in that company, instead of working in the capacity that I really work in.
Money is nice, yes, but relationships between different professions within a company is equally as important, for the long term sustainability of an operation.
Getting a bit Off Topic here, so will return to the regular broadcast.
I'm really really hoping that this whole court hearing doesn't open a huge can of worms whereby CHC end up 'transferring' GO staff in places like Nigeria and Thailand to ACN and TAS.
I just don't see how CHC GO will be able to abide by Canadian Health and Safety laws in some of the countries they operate in. The only work around would be to not employ any CHC GO staff in those places, and that doesn't help any of us.
Anybody know what the 'master plan' is in regard to this??
Cheers
I just don't see how CHC GO will be able to abide by Canadian Health and Safety laws in some of the countries they operate in. The only work around would be to not employ any CHC GO staff in those places, and that doesn't help any of us.
Anybody know what the 'master plan' is in regard to this??
Cheers
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Guys I like that Idea, that CHC staff working for ACN or TAS or SONAIR be employed by the countries that have these company or it could work the other way round CHC GO employs the staff from the local countries so that everything shares the oil money.... GREAT IDEA noooby !!!!!!!
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New Central Base In Bolama
Our visit to Nigeria has convinced us that the best way to go forward is to set up a company in Guinea-Bissau. This has excellent labour laws and very secret banking systems. All employees of CHC GO will shortly be receiving new contracts in Portuguese with a full English translation and details of new bank accounts being set up for all employees in the Banque Centrale des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. The recent news of disappearance of large amounts of confiscated cocaine in this area can only be of benefit to all of us. Once she has finished courses in Crioulo and Portuguese, Kay Too will be relocated to our new office in Ilha de Bolama in her capacity of Manager Morale, Travel and Human Relations, West Africa. All staff having problems are encouraged to visit her here to get any such minor problems straightened out, without the necessity to bother senior management in Vancouver, Lagos or Port Harcourt. Bolama is renowned for its lovely sandy beaches and extra anti-malarials will be issued to all staff visiting the new offices there. Flights can be arranged with Air Senegal from Dakar to Bissau and boats to Bolama are easy to find once you have arrived. I'm sure all staff will agree that this will resolve many of the problems we are having with pay, banking and recognition of staff associations.