Rates In The Sewer

[407 Driver]

I just heard that an unnamed PQ based company (Nope, not Allard) has just won a bid with a big BC forest company for UNDER 600 for a Bell 206.

 

[jetbox]

#1 How reliable is your souce? (I'm assuming you got pretty reliable sources)
#2 How can any customer accept such a ridiculous tarif price (I'm afraid it happens all to often :down: ) and expect that operator to keep high maintenance and safety standars????
#3 How can any operator give his iron away at such a low tarif and keep high maintenance and safety standars??? (and don't give me the old "our machinery is paid for" or "we self insure" bullsh-t cause it still doesn't add up! :down:

 

[tDawe]

Fuel it with some of that horrible Labatt Blue.

Seriously.. this is the sort of stuff that helps this industry stab itelf in the back. Unless theres more to the story we don't know. (not that your not in the know 407)

 

[bubbleboy]

There are I'm sure some fine people on here who are passionate about flying and who also own or operate a helicopter business. These people appreciate and understand that this is a very specialized and expensive service we provide. For nameless others, helicopters are nothing more than a tool that gets rented out by the hour. These same people have business/accounting backgrounds, or rely heavily on specialists with those skills. Yes, it's a business, but for many others this is a way of life!!

This industry it seems to me is very quickly approaching the point where some are prepared to rally behind those who want to keep the passion and dedication about what we do while not turning it into a lesson in creative economics, where the Canadian Income Tax Act replaces our Flight and Ops Manuals as guidelines!

Once we do that, the rewards are sure to follow.

Kirk out.

 

[Albert Ross]

There was at least one company doing a 206 last year for 575 plus fuel

Phil

 

[407 Driver]

It came from a Very reliable source. Can't release his name, but it makes you sick as to how low some "companies" will stoop to, to get work. Just when the average tarriff nears $1,000 for a 206, these guys cut the rates by well over 40%

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Heck I paid more money for a 206 per hour for some recurrent training and I used to work for the company!! This is crazy, I still paid more for a 206 at flight school some 4 years ago! No wonder everyones wages are so low! And to think that I am considering getting into the maintenance end of things! Makes me wonder if it is time to check into the nut house in North Bay!! :wacko: :blink:

PJ

 

[407 Driver]

Relax Puddles, this is not industry wide, it's only 1 or 2 operators that are doing things like this, they WILL disappear one day ....just like Northern Mountain did. You can't operate at those rates for long.

 

[jetbox]

That's true 407 but for every slimy bast-rd that disapears, 10 more pop up behind him.
And personally, I think there are a lot more than just a couple operators doing it. I could name 2 in our own back yard and we only have 5 players!!!!
I think until the tariffs are forced to be maintained at a certain minimum by some sort of legislation, this problem will never go away. :down:

 

[T-rex]

407,

It isn't our old employer is it?? Not very good never the less!

Has anyone on here posted their current full tarriff rates for all to see??

Is it a good idea?!?! Why not eh?

 

[Nomex]

Old news now, but last year, prior to all hell breaking loose with the fires, an operator positioned a 206L in the Kootenays to be on standby (IA) for BCFS without minimums (different than chasing fires and positioning a machine somewhere, along with other company's machines, and waiting for a call) - I understand the deal was the machine will be at the disposal of BCFS and committed to them for any trips and will sit and wait until they need it, no cost to BCFS until they turn a blade and no minimums. As I understood it, BCFS was seeking out a machine for IA and pay the usual 4 hr mins until this "can't refuse offer" came along.
Operator was from out of the area, and did not endear themselves to any of the local companies. Another example of marketing to capture the work, without concern for losing money or hurting the industry. Don't know what the tariff was, but likely would also have been a "good" deal.

Like 407D said, apparently the operator didn't disappear completely, but didn't do so good last summer - surprise! - and has had to "restructure".

 

[Nomex]

How could it hurt - published rates are not a secret, individual contracts and bids may come in less, but normally there is little give on these rates, maybe a max of $150-200 less for the 206 (depending on location and/or for a long-time customer).

I'll start....

wet incl tax

212 - $3,050
205 - $2,950
350B2- $1800
206 - $1,080

over to you..

 

[Frequent Flyer]

A quick question for you nomex. Are these the current rates of your company or are these the rates at where you think they should be.

 

[Nomex]

Sorry if I wasn't clear - those are the current rates.

 

[jetbox]

I don't think it's the posted rates that matter so much as it is the lowest you're willing to go down to to get the work. We all have standard rates but the numbers always change depending on how appealing a contract may be, no????

P.S. Our rates are right in line with Nomex's