Original Message

the ENTIRE rotor wing industry has been shamelessly using the gulf industry downturn as an excuse to squeeze wages for the entire rotor wing labor pool.

"you dont like what we are paying, go work in the gulf......oh wait.........."

"you dont like flying for yellow/blue/red, go work for yellow/blue/red....."

the gulf operators all siting in a circle pointing at the others saying "we're competitive!", 

the rest of the industry pointing to the gulf and saying "we dont have to pay as good as them, cause youre home every night"

the gig is about up. they've destroyed intrest in helicopters amongst the talent pool they needed to entertain the most (technically minded 20-30 somethings). its wayyy too easy to make a better living doing something else.

DONT look for big pay raises to deepen the talent pool in any area of rotor wing aviation.

Look instead for more of the "SMS will fix it" mentality. (we just need more processes, managers, and rules, not better, brighter, and more valuable people behind the stick and the wrench)

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to defend the mgmt party line and tell me how great they have it.