Since the World Cup is on, sort of appropriately, "It's all gone quiet over there !!"

Till the next time ?? :( Or is everyone waiting for announcements from the big two ?

waiting for the big two
 

I think the big two are waiting for each other to make move... dont wait too long boys, or you will be talking to yourselves.

Dont wait too long
 

Would the last one out please switch off the lights, if NEPA is working that is!!:ugh:

Bellboy,

I thought you had found a new home for life in Nigeria....at least that was the impression you gave a few months ago. What's going on there?

I see that Fred layton has found a new job and rapid promotion in the Gulf (Persian) according to another thread here - interesting :hmm:
I also see on the Oyibosonline website, that nothing ever changes in Nigeria:
Economist Intelligence Unit security updates
But GMIA is right - the World Cup is keeping Nigeria quiet :ugh:

The pay review announcements are due just before the WC final. If (as I suspect) they're not what is needed to pacify some very unhappy people, it'll be a case of light blue touchpaper :ouch:

The bomb burst will begin and FL will probably be swamped with applications in his new post, a good start for him !!

Flung,

Remember this is a RUMOUR network mate. If people are complaining here then they aren't doing it at work, which is probably a relief for their workmates.

Maybe they're scheming to get other jobs ? That's fine, as long as they don't bore anyone else except those of us who read this forum :ok:

No offence, just stating a fact.

Cheers,

NEO

It's quiet, too quiet
 

Its all gone quiet do you think the managements are hoping that if they ignore the problems they will go away? Any news? Are they waiting fot he world cup final too.

What movie was that?
 

Right next to 'Jungle Jim' running through the potted rubber plants pooping away at the spear-waving Ookaballakonga with his .32 revolver is the young soldier peering over the stockade wall at Fort Apache (?) saying, 'It's quiet tonight,' when John Wayne (?) sez, 'Yeaaah. Too quiet!'

One 'Thought for the Day' from Lagos Management, after having had our Crew Bus ride comprehensively pimped by the Isolo Gun Club was, 'Well, we haven't had any more trouble since then!'

All I could summon up by way of reply was that no, we wouldn't until the next time, but who knew when that would be? All the conditions, and more, are in place for another attack but who wants to 'waste' money on security? (I buy a new motorcycle crash helmet every five years or so, even though I haven't needed one for more than 30 years. Am I wasting my money there?)

It all depends upon what the meaning of "problems" now doesn't it?

Chuks dear boy,

You are unkind to the management over the armed robbery attempt and wounding of the two pilots during the "Lagos Pimp My Ride deal". Those were Kevlar curtains they installed in the crew bus weren't they, along with the "crypto" radio sets and "stealth" armed security outriders?

I hear that most of the guys flying in Nigeria are working an equal on off schedule. I have been talking to Bristow a few times. They are working 7 weeks on and 5 weeks off!! Why would anyone in their right mind work for such an outfit when you can get hired with other operators down there for the same(or better) pay with an equal schedule. 7 months a year away from home,it is a mystery to me how anybody with a family back home could justify such a schedule.

But both the big companies are short, so it isn't just the 7/5 and 6/6 roster difference stopping guys coming out.

What is it then ? :hmm:

NEO

Anton,
Bristow probably employ 50% of all the helicopter pilots in Nigeria, so around half or on the 7/5 deal.
NEO,
Guess that there are a lot of guys out there who feel that a 7.62 caliber hole in the chest somehow just isn't as good as an aircon in the helicopter - not for the money they get paid anyway. Quite a few guys got a site of what a hole like that looks like at the ACN Agip base earlier this year. :yuk:

Most rosters like this including non aviation jobs usually suit employees like myself that dont have the family & dont care too much for a social life when the $$$ add up.
Its a sacrafice but at the end of the day it can be done for lenghty periods but in the end you need to get out.

married/family types do it but usually dont last too long either, stressing family back home or marital issues that cant be dealt with that far away..... usually those types of problems occur from being that far away.

Its a crap life either way but if you dont have much to lose & lots to gain...why not.

Pesonally I decided I would never take that roster again whilst I am with some one and if I have a family then never again.
I am in mining and the dollars are good usually no matter where you go but places like Africa & the money gets stupid.
I am about to go to Tanzania for 2 months, leave Jamaica & go get my CPLH.
Its about the money till you can afford to start/go to something else.

HF

Anton 25,
Maybe you can try work in Southern Europe (as an example) & be at 300 km from home & spend 10 months working, yes (300 days a year, 12 hrs shifts):ugh:
90 days a year it´s a big difference, & talking about the money... big big difference.
Cheers

Helofan,
Good reply,but I actually think a lot of helicopter pilots has a life outside their helicopter world.(Like myself). Then I find it a little "sad" that a company that obviously are in dire need of pilots,don`t have something to offer that a "normal" guy can justify to accept.
On the other side,I am sure that the companies could get all the pilots they needed if they lowered their requirements and hired relative low timers. And I do think that is what Bristow has done. What I have heard,is that they are hiring guys whith 1000+ hours. If I was in management,and was hiring those pilots,my main concern would be what the customers reaction would be in the case of an accident involving a low time pilot. I am sure there are enough experienced pilots out here that would take on a job,but not very many that would give up pretty much everything to fly in Nigeria.

Anton 25,
I personnaly see nothing against a "1000+" minimum hours requirement by a well structured company. It should definitely be a good new if Bristow could start to reverse this customers' stupid requirement based on thousands of hours in so called "experience" !

Thanks Anton25.
Yeah it is sad & although the life comment is harsh its ends up being a matter of changing hobbies or timing.

I used to work a roster of 2 weeks on 1 week off.
Good roster but hard to maintain any time with friends when they are working through out the week & you have time during the day...gets a little ronry..so ronry LOL ..ehem anyway..yeah it sucks.:)

Most rosters in Oz used to be like 2 & 1 or 3-4 and 1 and guys/girls are prefering to stay in the city vs fly in/out jobs.
In the end the companies are changing the rosters I have heard that they are now doing 7 days on 5 off 7 days on 4 off ... or something like that ..need to check e-mail ... anyhoo, its the employees saying that they are not going to work that and the companies are having to change the rosters as no one wants that kind of wear and tear on their personal life.
Also the money is getting better/silly ( and it was good before ) I am almost tempted to go home ( dont tell my family ) cause its getting to the point that its better money at home vs going expat.

I dont know if aviation is ever going to take that stand to improve conditions / rosters / pay & I hope that by the time I get my foot in the door things are changing for the better for pilots all round.
Its not easy I know when that is your best option to stay where you are or cant make a move.
Thats the companies attitude , like it or lump it.... I like it when I see someone stand up and say Lump it. !!

I am choosing a helo pilot as a career for the job not the cash... I know I know cant live with out it & , when the solo me becomes me and the Missus.... kid etc I might change my view.
Hopefully by then ( its further away than I can imagine LOL ) I am doing ok, besides I can always go back to mining to restock the bank account.

What do the guys that do these rosters think?

I know a lot of the married folks in mining like the away part cause its a break/space that keeps the relationship cool.
Plus when they get home again the partner is usually at work during the day so that gives them the day to do what they want.... it has positive side to it too.

HF

Always look on the bright side...
 

Is it not so that after a while in aviation one usually finds that keeping contact with the wife and kids is not so much of an issue? Well, so long as the alimony and child support payments go through regularly! Problem solved! And you probably thought that Management didn't really think things through.

I have kept contact with a few friends who have left the oil patch. Most of them seem to feel that they are better off out of that. Some find that the quality of life is so much better that they don't really miss the fun, excitement, cheap booze, fags and female companionship that West Africa offers. I am still thinking that one over, myself.

Warning! Danger! Will Robinson, Danger!

Chuks is considering forsaking West Africa for Northern Climes?

Chuks dear boy...you would give up the wonderful life of West Africa and all of its benefits for a mundane job in other climes....what is going on here?

Getting them fancy JAA licenses going to yer head or something?

How you going to adjust to that kind of life style?

Reckon living in posh hotels at night when away, flying under real ATC to airports with flush toilets that work....how are you going to capture the essence of "real" flying again?

For heaven's sake....you might even be able to "bid" routes and workdays and do trips when you want to and stay home playing with the baby's Momma the rest of the time. Why, you might even take up motor biking on your time off or something!

Nah, Chuks, back to Lagos and pick up where you left off...prop up the bar at the second stool around the corner as normal....regularity is the key to a happy life. They put a light in the window for you when you departed....knowing you would return.