It is a nice effort, but you can't be too quick to slag the operators for this. Right now they are inundated with people sending CV's, phoning and e-mailing for jobs that are not there, and for most places the chief pilot is busy enough as he is on any given day, so if you just turn up, the chances are not that they were trying to be rude to you, but that there is genuinely nobody available to talk to you. How do you feel when people just turn up unannounced at your door and try and sell you something? Nothing personal, but to "just turn up" is not always a smart strategy.

Point taken Horrorbox, i fully understand that operators swamped with pilots looking for nonexistant jobs at moment. I spoke to most before i went travelling, aware that nothing there at the time but laying foundation for when something does open up. Something to talk about in interview to take their attention of lack of ability in the cv writing department :}. I have got jobs in past from bosses remembering me having called in the past and seen lots of guys land positions just for having been the one who visited as opposed to the million emails that arrived.

But times are different now, just hoping that it is just another cycle.

I am sure it won't have done you any harm anyway, and you never know, as you said it is something to mention when you get an interview, and any edge or advantage you can get you should take it. Keep trying anyway, and just try and secure some sort of meeting next time before you travel if you can. If nothing else you can get to learn something about the business, maybe get a tour round the place.

Sending a resume/CV by snailmail might also help to draw attention. Email is just to simple. One might even try handwritten.

Is that even still taught in schools these days? I thought everything nowadays was all "txt spk n stuff"!
That being said a decent handwritten letter would certainly grab my attention. I honestly cannot remember the last time I saw a letter written in ink by hand. It is such a rarity these days to see anything handwritten other than graffiti!

It's all about standing out.

One of the most annoying things is people calling in unannounced or calling, when the ad explicitely says "NO CALLS", Even had a guy last week leaving a message asking if we could call him back :ugh:

North Sea 2011
 

How are the job prospects for the North Sea market as of today and for the next few months? Heard that CHC was hiring.

I believe they have already interviewed, but currently there are no positions available. This will develop in the next few months as contracts won/kept/lost become clearer.

I'd definately be keeping my ear close to the ground over the coming months. Bristow will be short in HUY coming into late spring early summer (or should I say shorter than they currently are). S76C++ rating would be an advantage.

pilot shortage oop north?
 

I heard a rumour that there was a bit of a pilot shortage developing with at least 1 of the big 3 companys at aberdeen due to a run of people leaving.

1) is that true?
2) where are these people going?

i also heard that they are "desparate" to get some new guys in, but not so desparate as to actually advertise it seems !

whats really going on with recruitment/numbers at ABZ

anybody?

Hi SF

There is no pilot shortage anywhere in the Northern Europe. Books are full of (qualified) applications.

There is no point in advertise. When CHC and Bristow in Norway advertise, it is not because of lack of qualified applicants, just because they want even more to choose from, selecting the best to go through their session.

Pilot shortage.... Sorry but No

Tango123

Sorry to contradict you, but there was and still might be a pilot shortage "oop North", although I believe that most of the vacancies have already been filled.

The problem was that while the three big operators have plenty of people on their books who seem to have the right qualifications on paper, only a small proportion (say 1 in 3) are found to fit all the requirements after written + aptitude + simulator checks, followed by an interview.

Those who finally got through all the stages came from mixed backgrounds and the minority were "new baby" pilots from the self-sponsored route with a CPL(H) and IR.

So yes, there are plenty of applicants meaning that there isn't any pressing need to advertise.

cheers guys,

interesting info and i now get the advertising bit, but still wonder where the leavers are going?
because everything i look at worldwide seems to have pay no better than ABZ, which wouldnt be an incentive for anyone except in certain circumstances like high time co-pilots looking for command.

1. are they going to CHC Global / Bristow International for a bit of (relative to ABZ) excitement?
2. are they just retiring or leaving to work in tesco or something else non aviation
3. going to police / hems / corporate in the UK or
4. something else

i am wondering if i am missing something or not (i am thinking maybe not at the moment, but you tell me :)

cheers

Virtually nobody is leaving ABZ; just a tiny handful of retirees or a couple who want to try their luck elsewhere.

The recent recruitment drive is due to an anticipated strong increase in drilling activity, with one or two new installations going in soon and the deep sea fields to the west of shetland becoming a reality.

At least two of the three big northern North Sea heli operators are investing heavily in new airframes and consequently need pilots to drive them.

The UK government has announced the long-awaited tax breaks to get the big oil players back seriously into the game.

Then there's the probable increase in SAR, for which the winning bidder is going to need even more crews with the right experience. Failing some unforseen global calamity, "oop North" looks like the place to be for the next few years. Pay and conditions aren't too bad either.

North Sea Operators, who hires who?
 

Hi again for another noob question.

Anyone interested in sharing their view on the different operators´ preferences when it comes to hiring? Facts, rumours and experience are all welcome alike. I guess like in any business, some things will not be admitted openly but still everyone knows.

Are some companies known to be more (or less!) likely to hire certain types: younger/older, prefer ex-military, prefer Bristow grads, prefer their own nationals, want diversity in crews/want similarity in crews...whatever.

Who has a reputation to hire who? Or is it all pretty much the same and solely aptitude&hours?

What are you offering: similarity or diversity?

chances getting a job in the north sea
 

Hi

I am thinking about to apply for a CoPilot job in the northsea area.

My Details:
- EASA CPL & ATPL theory
- TT: 2350h - 1100h Helicopter: 600h PIC
- 1000h multi engine (EC135)
- 200h NVG & 120h NVFR
- HEMS - & Police aviation experiences
- LP level 5
- TRI EC135
- (PPL-A & FI-A; 1250h)

No MCC & IFR-H - so far. I am going to do the IFR-A rating as a first step inbound IFR-H.(only 10h on Heli left)

Do I have a chance to be invited for an interview?

Please give me a impression what the recruitment situation looks like.

Thank you!

Thepilot76

Not without an IR(H), I'm afraid. (Don't worry about the MCC. That will be covered in any initial Type Rating). But you will need to get your IR first. When you do, prospects are pretty good at the moment. Most of the European offshore operators are hiring at the moment.