CHC Den Helder

[maxvne]

Ive tried a search about Den Helder, my question is why dont CHC Den Helder do equal time roster and are they likely to change?
Thanks in advance

Max

[helimutt]

basically, because they dont have to.
No they won't be changing roster any time soon.

[3 D]

Well yes as above really, they do not have to.

The company (Particularly CHC) wants the most productivity/flexibility/least costs possible and will only give what they are forced to give.

In Den Helder the pilot group has not pushed anywhere near as hard as the other pilot groups within CHC so they do not receive such a good deal. The Norwegians show the way, their unions do not mess around and get really good deals. There is a new negotiation looming in Den Helder but rumour has it that the union (it is basically a fixed wing union with the heli pilots added on) is not being pushed hard enough to get a good deal for the pilots there.

Whilst the pilot group there does not seem to be ready to push and get a deal that is representative of the current offshore market in the North Sea (Plenty of work/Lack of pilots), the only saving grace is that with most other offshore operators offering equal time rosters the management there may actually want to offer it too in order to be able to recruit anyone! Unfortunately they will probably maintain something akin to the current deal and that is you can work equal time but get far less than a normal salary.

Hopefully before the new negotiations the guys and girls there will cotton on to the deals that are being negotiated elsewhere on the North Sea and get themselves a good deal. They always seem happy to be catching up with the rest of the North Sea never leading the way, shame really.

I hear the Norwegians have just negotiated another great deal. Maybe they could help the poor Dutch out.

[maxvne]

Thanks helimutt, as easy and simple as that. OK any ideas of the work cycle and any info on the base, obviously the guys and gals like the roster, helis and whats the time to command or direct entry command possibilities.

thanks

[maxvne]

Thanks 3D, its a pity they are lacking so much behind, I liked the location pretty easy going now I think maybe too easy going
max

[helimutt]

S61's which work like 3 days a week I think. EC155's, AW139's.
They have a great engineering setup, able to carry out most work in-house, and quickly.
Haven't heard anything bad about Den Helder.

[chcoffshore]

OK any ideas of the work cycle and any info on the base, obviously the guys and gals like the roster, helis and whats the time to command or direct entry command possibilities.

Do you have a ATPLH with 1000hrs min ME time? Rig qualified day & night? At least one winter on the North Sea.Then direct entry command is a no. Plus the exsisting co's wouldn't be happy.

Also you have to be in commutable distance to work, no equal time rosters. And i can't see that changing in the near future.

Time to command is done on seniority.............

[maxvne]

ChcOffshore,

Yes to all of the above, but im only interested in equal time roster so that will be a no thank you then

[Camp Freddie]

I have flown at CHC netherlands on a kind of mini detachment and they have great aircraft, great building, nice people there was not much not too like as far as I could see.

CF

[check]

One problem with CHC Nederland is that the majority of the staff are in a union that is a total waste of space. The addition of a second union woke them up a little, but not much. In the past they negotiated pay freezes of up to five years for staff, but they also had a 32 hour week with overtime paid above a 72 hour fortnight. Things may have changed, I retired years ago.

I do agree about the staff and facilities and living in Holland.

[Jules81]

There is one problem that everybody seems to forget and that is the Dutch Law. Many off the cloggies here want equal time, unfortunately it is not allowed by the Dutch Arbo (the one being responsible for work and rest times)As long there is no EASA ops regarding this subject we can't apply for it.

[check]

Jules81,

I'm not sure that you are right, but I'm not saying you are wrong. However about 8 years or so ago they had an equal time contract 2 weeks on 2 weeks off, with the stipulation that the 2 weeks off was just that. No coming in for a quick course etc. This was negotiated with the then RLD. Based on that perhaps it can be done.

[Tango123]

Hi colleagues

I am new in this forum.....

I have heard (only rumours) CHC Den Helder needs between 6 and 10 new pilots in 2009.

Having read the above comments I have a Q before I send an application

- Do you as Co-Pilot have any influence on the schedule within the 14 day period, og is it a management decision? Because I would prefer 4 days off in a row (consecutive days) within the 14 days period. This is because I don't live in Netherland. So as an example my roster could be 4-1-5-4 or 5-4-4-1. Is this possible or is it the management alone that decides when you have to work?

Many thanks

[chcoffshore]

Sorry to tell you but you won't have a say..........Its not a commutable roster.

Read some of the above posts.

[Tango123]

chcoffshore many thanks for the quick reply

So in basic what it means, is that I will work (9/14 times 365) 206 days a year, but in reality be flexible/available (365 minus 5 weeks holidays) approx 330 days a year.

Now I maybe understand why some pilots only send applications where they have a roster system.

again, many thanks

[chcoffshore]

No Problem..Here is a extract from one of the previous adverts.

Pilots will have to relocate to the Netherlands and equal time
rosters are not possible.