Dew Line Contract

[ChairmanoftheBORED]

I was a TFR who dragged his family to Canada and built a life at the turn of the century. It really erks me the rudeness of some people around here who know beggar all about being an immigrant. It certainly wasn't my experience of life in Canada. If there had been that much racism voiced at me - we would've left. It can only be because you can hide on the internet that one is so brave. I became a PR then a citizen and like Winnie and all the others ["the Rab"] and my mates - we invested a lot to chase the Canadian dream. Because we had good work ethic, we got ahead and it is as simple as that. Doesn't matter where you are from - work hard and Canada rewards.

 

I left Canada for family issues in 2008 but got a call from Buzzer in 2010 to see if I could help launch the NWS program. I arrived back in Canada in 24 hrs at my own expense and went straight to training. Never worked for HTS previously but they paid me a fair day rate and the money arrived every month. The gear I flew was in top condition. I contracted to them and did about 8 months at Hall Beach listening to all the ex-CHL pilots ***** about the situation. Eventually they all pretty much left and the lack of whining was nice. Most of them must be kicking themselves now. They were so institutionalized and did so little for the money they made, that if they had just hung on they would be back with the re-branded NEW ZEALAND company HNZ who have gone in and bid with old decrepid 212's and S61's. Drag out that old flight suit...

 

I flew the first ex-Jap Coast Guard Bell 212 into Hall Beach. I had some great help from a good old Canadian Engineer to arrive two weeks ahead of any other ship into the North. He was outstanding as an engineer and everyone I worked with at HTS [besides a few who would be incompetent anywhere] was as good as anyone I've flown with. It was a good time but I wouldn't want to be the copilot/capt living in Hall Beach now. Its not designed for that.

 

In 2010 I delivered the first Bell 214ST into Iqaluit and sold the program and new aircraft to NWS there. I think we did a great job and I would be happy flying an ST for the rest of my life. The ST outperformed the geriatric 61 all day every day and as I said before - I am stunned that they are back using that old an aircraft. For HTS [who are a collection of pretty decent people with some outstandingly good pilots and engineers] it is a shame this chapter is done for now. While talking with Denis recently it occurred to me that they might lose this contract if CHL or someone came along with better gear. Perhaps an AW139 or S92 to support the north... but no - back to the old cheap technology.

 

HTS should be pleased with their contribution to history. The 214ST was a gamble that radically changed the dynamic of the NWS contract in Iqaluit and I can only imagine the moaning from the client when it leaves and the old bus lumbers over the horizon. That aircraft is outstanding and a good place to spend a day. I had some memorable events that have added a lot of flavor to life. On this occasion I recognized a voice from the past and escorted a friend ferrying an S92 home to Iqaluit. You couldn't plan that!

 

 

The ST set the HUMS alight....

 

I hope the HTS guys get a shot with HNZ, they need to feed their families and are the obvious choice. Best to just get on and embrace change guys. As most of US Canadians know - Kiwi's ain't so bad but if you think HNZ are going to up the pay rate and kiss you on the dick, then you are misguided. You'll likely work harder for less.

[Helilog56]

The turnover is high, the wages substandard, poorly structured upper management, poorly maintained aircraft, lack of training....I was being nice....

 

Some have managed too be lucky with them....most not so much. This is from prior employees that have worked there, and I work with now. Observing them operate cranes in the field with dropped towers, broken down equipment, and USFS grounding all their cranes a couple of years ago, reiterates what we hear.

For those that are employed and working there and your happy....you are rare.

 

And as for HNZ....your right CoftheB, good luck with a company awake in red ink and globally laying of hundreds.

[Helilog56]

By the way...that should read, awash in red ink.

[crosstube]

I am with Chairmaofthebored in regards to HTS, Worked there and flew from the 204 to the 61 including the ST. Was always paid on time and always to the standard of the industry, never missed a paycheck. I was there at the beginning of the ST with HTS, incredible aircraft, did have a bit of a maintenance problem with it at the beginning but it was more out of inexperience with the type than anything else. Barely anybody new them.

Did contract work for them this winter again on the 205 and ST, excelent maintenance and ame's would work for them again no problems.

 

CT

[marc]

The turnover is high, the wages substandard, poorly structured upper management, poorly maintained aircraft, lack of training....I was being nice....

 

Some have managed too be lucky with them....most not so much. This is from prior employees that have worked there, and I work with now. Observing them operate cranes in the field with dropped towers, broken down equipment, and USFS grounding all their cranes a couple of years ago, reiterates what we hear.

For those that are employed and working there and your happy....you are rare.

 

And as for HNZ....your right CoftheB, good luck with a company awake in red ink and globally laying of hundreds.

The cranes are part of the American HTS. The Canadian and American divisions are separate companies run pretty much completely independently. There is near zero cross over of workers between sides. The odd contract pilot may work for both.

 

I am not disputing anything in your post, just wanted to clarify the difference.

[Winnie]

How does it feel to have your job taken away? Ohhhhh the Irony. Head in hand sigh.

 

I do believe that is the lowest thing I have ever had said to me. Not just rude, but harsh and uncalled for.

 

Do you really believe the employees have anything to do with this??? And do you believe that HTS when it happened the other way around closed the door on anyone??? I know for a fact they didn't... Quite a few of the CHL guys came over, and some of us really hope to get on with CHL...

 

But I find your posting very rude, and uncouth...

[shakey]

 

I do believe that is the lowest thing I have ever had said to me. Not just rude, but harsh and uncalled for.

 

Do you really believe the employees have anything to do with this??? And do you believe that HTS when it happened the other way around closed the door on anyone??? I know for a fact they didn't... Quite a few of the CHL guys came over, and some of us really hope to get on with CHL...

 

But I find your posting very rude, and uncouth...

Harden the F@#k up! I give two shits what a TFW turned full time replacement has to say about my take on things.

[tin lizzie]

@shakey

 

Dude. Not cool.

 

What happened with the NWS contract is business - some people gain, some people lose - and it will happen again down the road. But what you said right there is personal, and downright nasty.

 

I'm the first person to agree that a stop needs to put on operators abusing the import of TFW - I and many others have personally taken action in this regard. But neither the companies who abuse the TFW policy, nor the TFW themselves are at fault. Both are taking advantage of an opportunity that the Canadian government allowed to happen, without any regard for protecting the rights of its Citizens and their families.

 

The Canadian government, who we hired BTW, is to blame. And those who stand to lose the most, the replaced Canadians, who do nothing to stop the abuse of the TFW policy are also to blame.

 

Did you do, or are you doing anything to publicly protest the abuse of the TFW policy other than openly attacking a Canadian Citizen on an anonymous public forum?

 

Shame on you!

 

With respect to TFW, none are presently indicated at this time. CHL was just awarded the NWS contract and clearly they are actioning Canadians to fulfill their obligations. Until such time as the presence of TFW are indicated, TFW and your opinions of said topic are irrelevant to the discussion and therefore further inappropriate.

 

I hope you will have the good grace to at least retract your words, if not apologize, for comments made.

[tin lizzie]

[shakey]

The sad part is you get a say! I hate Libetards.