HeliPortugal
Join Date: Oct 2004
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"Is like a tale, in the begging of the year we were 33 pilots, now they are just 18 
”, they are maintaining a good average, HP started to look like some middle east company...
”, they are maintaining a good average, HP started to look like some middle east company...
Join Date: Jan 2005
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my personal experience....
I was forced to work in violation of both the company and JAR regs (fly everyday and 24 hour medevac everyday for 21 days straight)... The chief pilots solution to dealing with this? Refuse to answer the fone (the duty fone 16 calls) for three weeks, refuse to take calls at work, refuse to answer text messages (5) or e-mail (3). Oh and Mr L... I know you got my calls, Mr M had the balls to answer.
This is the general tone of how HP deals with problems... ignore them. And as there is no one to call them on it (Part Q is not in effect) and as those in the National authority are on a first name basis with those running the company in question... get the point?
So long as there are pilots who need a job, oil companies who need to save a buck and authorities willing to look the other way.. HP will continue to do business this way.
By the way.. Does Mr PS know that Mr. C is still on the payroll?
Just remember the HR guys last name rimes with....
This is the general tone of how HP deals with problems... ignore them. And as there is no one to call them on it (Part Q is not in effect) and as those in the National authority are on a first name basis with those running the company in question... get the point?
So long as there are pilots who need a job, oil companies who need to save a buck and authorities willing to look the other way.. HP will continue to do business this way.
By the way.. Does Mr PS know that Mr. C is still on the payroll?
Just remember the HR guys last name rimes with....
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 8th Dec 2010 at 06:40. Reason: Names removed
Join Date: Mar 2009
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Good post halfdv2scl. It has always amazed me that oil companies who (presumably) audit helicopter companies continue to award contracts to those that are clearly not playing by the rules. HeliPortugal is one of many and the bigger operators who generally do invest considerable sums of money in playing by all the rules are suffering.
I have worked for a few similar companies and got out as soon as I could see what was going on. I remember asking to see a copy of the Ops Manual one day when being told to fly what I considered to be in excess of FDL and was informed that the Ops Manual was at the company head office in another country! If I wanted to know the rules I should call the Chief Pilot who, curiously enough, was never around!
There are though (as you say) always pilots desperate for a job or to gain experience or who can't work anywhere else, As long as these people are available and the oil companies/aviation authorities look the other way then the situation will continue sadly.
I have worked for a few similar companies and got out as soon as I could see what was going on. I remember asking to see a copy of the Ops Manual one day when being told to fly what I considered to be in excess of FDL and was informed that the Ops Manual was at the company head office in another country! If I wanted to know the rules I should call the Chief Pilot who, curiously enough, was never around!
There are though (as you say) always pilots desperate for a job or to gain experience or who can't work anywhere else, As long as these people are available and the oil companies/aviation authorities look the other way then the situation will continue sadly.
Last edited by Epiphany; 8th Dec 2010 at 09:53. Reason: grammar
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Excellent post halfdv2scl... spot on! 
I have to apologize for my previous post (already deleted by me) because it was probably a bit to strong on words
... however let me say just this... when opinions about a company, in this case Heliportugal, need to have "editing for content"... than that's enough said about it!
HR is truly very below average and the company is following it steps very quickly!
Best of luck if you have to apply there...
I have to apologize for my previous post (already deleted by me) because it was probably a bit to strong on words
... however let me say just this... when opinions about a company, in this case Heliportugal, need to have "editing for content"... than that's enough said about it!HR is truly very below average and the company is following it steps very quickly!
Best of luck if you have to apply there...
Join Date: Nov 2007
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I was interested in HP, they sounded pretty good from my research/contacts.......are they really that bad? Whats the deal with pay, have they neglected to pay on time/at all?
Cheers
Cheers
Join Date: Mar 2009
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dcfc - if you have researched HP and know and trust people who tell you the operation is a good one then you can do no more. The same people should be able to tell you what the salary is I would imagine? My own research and contacts tell me otherwise. The only way to find out is by taking them up on their offer and judging for yourself. We all have different standards and expectations.
Join Date: Oct 2004
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dcfc,
It’s very easy, if you come into the interview, kindly ask Mr HR to state you on the paper what the company is offering you, you’ll see his face!!
By the way don’t get surprised… he is the kind of guy that never look into your eyes when he is talking to you..
It’s very easy, if you come into the interview, kindly ask Mr HR to state you on the paper what the company is offering you, you’ll see his face!!
By the way don’t get surprised… he is the kind of guy that never look into your eyes when he is talking to you..
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dcfc
VEMD is right! Try to get what he says... on paper!
But to be honest with you... not even on paper!
Just one example:
One pilot from the company decided to relocate... stayed with his family in Portugal for almost a month... house hunting, school interviews... after all done walks in HR and informs he is ready to "relocate"!
Answer... sorry, company going through some difficult times we don't have the money to relocate you!!!!!
Others:
Interview... "You'll be in a 5***** hotel..." (it's only 3***)... "Sim trip every year..." (Not really... not even every 2 years)...
HR is too bad to be true...
Good luck!
VEMD is right! Try to get what he says... on paper!
But to be honest with you... not even on paper!
Just one example:
One pilot from the company decided to relocate... stayed with his family in Portugal for almost a month... house hunting, school interviews... after all done walks in HR and informs he is ready to "relocate"!
Answer... sorry, company going through some difficult times we don't have the money to relocate you!!!!!
Others:
Interview... "You'll be in a 5***** hotel..." (it's only 3***)... "Sim trip every year..." (Not really... not even every 2 years)...
HR is too bad to be true...
Good luck!
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Honesty
dcfc,
It seems you have enough info to just don't waste your time with HP.
But if you really want, just go there and see by yourself.
For me is clear, the HR guy is some you can not trust , just like most of the directors of this company.
What they say today may not be true tomorrow, so, just open your eyes the market has more opportunities.
Just to give you an idea:
The bond policy is not pro rata and is for 3 years
the accommodation in iran are sub human dignity
The operation is the most unprofessional I've seen.
No rooster, at least within reasonable time.
......
It seems you have enough info to just don't waste your time with HP.
But if you really want, just go there and see by yourself.
For me is clear, the HR guy is some you can not trust , just like most of the directors of this company.
What they say today may not be true tomorrow, so, just open your eyes the market has more opportunities.
Just to give you an idea:
The bond policy is not pro rata and is for 3 years
the accommodation in iran are sub human dignity
The operation is the most unprofessional I've seen.
No rooster, at least within reasonable time.
......
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Heli Portugal.. caveat emptor
I notice HP is looking for people, suggestion: get everything in writing and ask Mr. H (rhymes with asshole) if you can speak with someone currently stationed in one of the gems he intends to send you to... note to self: there's a reason they need people.
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Sh*t shaped
I cant believe its all going sh*t shaped at HP/HS and no one is prepared to saying anything.
HR manager is an ex Lidl store manager supposedly acting in the best interest of the company, I think not.
How the hell do you go from groceries to gas turbines ?
HR manager is an ex Lidl store manager supposedly acting in the best interest of the company, I think not.
How the hell do you go from groceries to gas turbines ?
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well well well.....funny how some pilots talked about HP! same pilots who had been fired by a few companies in the few last years, telling lies on others pilots.....they must be bored in their life i guess !! what a nice and professional attitude! , like Mr GB! that the way he use to talked about others!
HP is doing not so bad! even if somes are telling the contrary! i guess that the sames who were laid off!
, like Mr GB! that the way he use to talked about others!HP is doing not so bad! even if somes are telling the contrary! i guess that the sames who were laid off!
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Today in the Portuguese news SIC showed Heliportugal in Technical Bankruptcy...
News in portuguese only:
Oje - o Jornal Economico - Negócios - Everjets ganha concurso de 25 helicópteros de combate a incêndios
EMA entrega aluguer de 25 helicópteros por cinco anos a empresa de Famalicão - PÚBLICO
Join Date: Nov 2009
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How could a startup company out of nowhere that appears to only have one single dauphin on G registry could win against a consortium of 4 experienced and well established operators?