Bye Bye Bond
You're wilfully misunderstanding what I'm saying, but it doesn't really matter. Those who worked for old Bond will know how it was, as TeeS says. Sadly, the faceless corporate world is the future.
Even in my relatively short time at BAS I could see the movement from the family-run atmosphere and the slow transfer to a new 'corporate' image, to the one-size-fits-all conglomerate...
Thread Starter
Well, today is the day in the UK and my early information was close but not quite right so here it is from Helihub:
Over the years, there have been lots of corporate re-brand exercises, some more successful than others, this one doesn't have success written all over it.
I would change it to COC 
- Bond Aviation Group Ltd. to Babcock Mission Critical Services UK Ltd.
- Bond Air Services Ltd. to Babcock Mission Critical Services Onshore Ltd.
- Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd to Babcock Mission Critical Services Offshore Ltd.
- Bond Helicopters Europe Ltd. to Babcock Mission Critical Services Design and Completions Ltd.
- International Aviation Leasing Ltd. to Babcock Mission Critical Services Leasing Ltd.
From an ATC point of view, we understand that the “Bond” callsign and “BND” flight prefix are being retained due to the cost of changing it with ICAO.
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I suppose it had to come but I have been involved with Bond since the mid 70s, it was NSH then. Through the years since then, I have worked in all areas of the Bond Group and thoroughly enjoyed it. A lot of years now and have subsequently retired.
As has been suggested in earlier posts, a lot of us went the extra mile, not necessarily for money but for the good of the Company, Job Security and yes, job satisfaction.While working for Bond, I never ,ever got up and thought "do I have to go to work today?" It was a good outfit to work for, in all areas and I was always well paid. Sad to see the name disappear along with the red colour scheme.
Also glad that I am retired.
As has been suggested in earlier posts, a lot of us went the extra mile, not necessarily for money but for the good of the Company, Job Security and yes, job satisfaction.While working for Bond, I never ,ever got up and thought "do I have to go to work today?" It was a good outfit to work for, in all areas and I was always well paid. Sad to see the name disappear along with the red colour scheme.
Also glad that I am retired.
Started with NSH in 84, after crop spraying for 3 years and they gave me everything for free, twin rating, Instrument rating, and I repaid with 16 years of service. What a great family to work for and I spent many happy Years flying the first air ambulance in the uk and Trinity house in the late 80's with Geoff Bond who taught me so much.
Loved my time with Bond and a lot of it due to the foresight of Trevor Larman (wolfie) who's bark was worse than his bite 😜
Loved my time with Bond and a lot of it due to the foresight of Trevor Larman (wolfie) who's bark was worse than his bite 😜
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My induction interview with TL probably broke every PC rule in the book - fantastic! Watching him ground run a 105 in his suit because I wasn't there when the engineers asked...
Unless you're ex ACC/RAF/RN don't even bother applying
As for sticking with the known products of the military flying training system, I appreciate that this particular buoy has been rounded many times before, but have you considered that it may be down to the company's previous experiences of recruitment? It can take a lot of time and trouble to clear out mistakes made. Not that pilots from military backgrounds are necessarily guaranteed to be good, but their pasts are easier to put under the microscope.
During my always-interesting, professionally-rewarding and downright entertaining days with BAS, I found - as have many of the more-experienced correspondents above - that effort "in" was amply rewarded by loyalty "out". Not many employers would put a 57-year-old through a full IR, let alone do it all over again with another base pilot. Not to mention providing full TRI, IRI and TRE training to enable said 57-year-old to continue gainful employment within the industry. I wish all employees of BMCS(O) the very best of fortune for the future, and look forward to hearing how they continue to thrive in interesting times. With or without military backgrounds.
Last edited by Thud_and_Blunder; 27th Apr 2016 at 18:12. Reason: Edited to remove any implication of misdeeds
"During my always-interesting, professionally-rewarding and downright entertaining days with BAS..........."
All very well Thud, but you still deserted them in their hour of need..........and to fly round in circles looking at bits of wire, of all things!
All very well Thud, but you still deserted them in their hour of need..........and to fly round in circles looking at bits of wire, of all things!
QTG...BUT they'll doubtless thrive without me, and it's hard to turn down the opportunity to operate 9-to-5, Mon-Fri. Low-level ops, 700+ hours in the last 12 months - what's not to like?!
Well, I guess the operator formerly known as BAS (TOFKAB) now has a real excuse to buy larger aircraft.
They're going to have a real hard time getting all that name onto a 135!!!
They're going to have a real hard time getting all that name onto a 135!!!
