Chc Info
 

I've posted this question earlier, but somehow it was missing important specifics. Here I re-formulate it in a more appropriate manner:
Does anybody have first hand intel on living conditions/pay/benefits/maint...etc for CHC bases like Thailand, North Sea, Africa. Does the company allow pilots to relocate the family (moving allowance) and is it even worth it?
In other words, are the jobs and the bases suitable only for the single adventurer type (we've all been there at one time or another) or are they considered good family bases?
Thank you.

traveller
 

I suggest keeping your family at home......away from the job location.

Their bases are widespread as you know and its more conducive for you to tour instead of trying for a living in country base. Just my opinion.

I did steady tours with them and enjoyed that. Now, remember, tours have the uncanny ability to get extended...something you may have to accept.

Just my two cents!

D.K

You have asked about quite a variety of bases. You have also chosen bases in 3 different divisions, which for all intents and purposes operate as different corporate identities with unique payscales, benefits, etc. Most North Sea crews live there. In SE Asia they have both resident and touring positions. In Africa they all tour. More specific answers need more specific questions.

Allright..let's start with Africa. How long do the tours last? Does the company provides transportation (Airline tickets)? How about an entry level salary? Health/dental Ins.? Loss of licence? 401K? Company pension plan? Living condition?

In considering Thailand.....why ever would a feller want to be married accompanied there? Why with all the pollution, disease, political unrest, terrorist threats.....shortage of food, security, shopping.....all the unfriendly people and utter lack of western culture. I would not dream of submitting my beloved spouse to such living conditions.....not me, uh uh, not me. That is my story, mdear and I am certainly sticking to it! Even the hotel accomodation like the Grace, Na Na, Prince.....Hilton....all those dives...why it just would not be gentlemanly to expose Suggums to that. Nope!

Leave her in peace at home so she can enjoy the quilting bees...the Flower Club....Saturday morning yard sales.....yes...by all means...sacrifice yourself and go on a bachelor status contract.

One Man's Opinion!
:ok:

another perspective
 

Aquila105

Without responding re specific bases or countries - you mention “family” and the following comments really only apply if you are meaning “wife only”, or if your children are adults.

I am sure that Donut King and SASless meant well with their rather protective, overly cautious comments. Of course I’m not suggesting they are Victorian in their approach to this – certainly not! I am sure they are most “gentlemanly” and appropriate (at home AND away) – but where’s the belief in shared decision making? Do wives really want decisions “made for them?” Perhaps if they do, then DK & SASless picked it well.

However I would suggest some/many wives would rather be with their husbands, even in circumstances where there is “shortage of food, security, shopping”. If they go with eyes wide open, and are both well informed, then why not travel as a couple, provided company support is sufficient to make it practical. Of course each circumstance needs practical consideration, once you’re fairly well informed about the particular base for which you are heading.

Being in remote locations, especially those with an “utter lack of western culture” will provide experiences that can either be yours only and never really shared with your wife, or can be shared experiences. You and your wife are in the best position to decide whether or not going together is worth serious consideration. There is no easy answer.

SASless, what does the expression “the quilting bees” mean? “...the Flower Club....Saturday morning yard sales.....” You aren’t intentionally being just a tad provocative, are you?

SASless,

Down, boy! Down!!

Ah, the Nana hotel... sadly those days long since gone :{ SASless, I've got a feeling we may have met before?

OK, here goes: 6 weeks on/off; yes, cheapest fair available; co-ey US$39000, cap US$51000; travel accident, no; yes, $100,000; no; no; generally good, sub-Saharan Africa though.

The division is CHC Africa, the remains of the not so recently acquired Court Helicopters. Dobbin sold off pretty everything that wasn't offshore. They have been growing and should be looking for people these days. Most of their work is on S76's and S61's with some B212 as well.

Ops Manager, Bob Denning
(021)936-4428

Is this the same Denning who was in Aberdeen with Scotia?
What is he like to work for - I have heard many rumours.

Heloteacher, thank you for the wealth of information.
Could you duplicate it for the North Sea?
Does the company cover relocation expenses for the family? Housing?
Are the benefits different from base to base (Scotia vs Ireland vs Norway etc..to compensate for the difference in cost of living?)How about an entry level salary?
Health/dental Ins.?
Loss of licence?
401K?
Company pension plan?
Living condition?
Also, would a FAA licence suffice?
Again, Thank you.

I wish I had good info for Scotia, I'd be guessing about too much. I'll ask around some. For CHI, the Canadian division the answers are:

Co: $60,000ish ;Capt: $70,000ish (CAN$)
-normally copilots only hired if near captaincy
yes, yes
yes
no
yes
most bases very good
normally no, canadian req.

Allright HT, Thank you again.
One last post. Thailand.
Is the base in Bangok or a small village?
Do they provide housing for the family?
Does the company provide moving allowances?
How about an entry level salary?
Lenght of the hitch?
Health/dental Ins.?
Loss of licence?
401K?
Company pension plan?
Living condition?

I believe most of the work is in SongKhla, supposed to be nice
it is a CHC-International base, run by Vancouver (Canada)
there are both resident and touring pilots/engineers
yes, there is a moving allowance for resident pilot/engineers, 2 year term


as I said, anyone I talked to loved the place

BTW: have you got 212 time?

G'day CHC drivers,

I am just wondering if CHC Intl is looking for AS332L crews at the moment. Please drop me a line.

Cheers,

Chopper Jog

About 710 hrs on 412 (FAR P 135 current) offshore.
What's the minimum qual's?

thailand
 

No 212'2 in Thailand.

I'd erase that off my license if I were you. All 76's and61's in Songkhla. Utapao as well....76's.

The 212's work the bush...errrr....jungle I mean. Unless you LIKE the jungle!!!!!!!!!!

One 212 in Saudi last I remember and the others in Burma and Africa....maybe South America.

Stick to the wheel equipped a/c if you get my drift!!!!!

Cheers!

D.K

Donut King - Last time I visited Songhkla and saw dear old Ken, they had a 212 working out of Utupao, or has that changed.

Thought Iran also had a 212 working out of there.


:E

You could be right Auto.....

I've been away from Asia for a few months......contracts and a/c requirements change....... yet the faces stay the same.

Pretty sure the 212/412 is out of Saudi as I've checked with one of my buddies who did a few tours there.

Nevertheless, correct me if I'm wrong!

D.K