Warning helipro Fiji

[disgruntledwife]

I wish to share our experience with helipro Fiji, my husband worked on and off with them over a few years pays were always late plus other issues but this year after Graeme Hedge who he considered a mate provided him with personal assurance all those issues were behind them and wages would now be paid on time every week well long story short covid hit my husband got stuck in Fiji for 4 months and wasn’t able to fly home but the company stopped paying him 2 weeks into his stay there he was unable to get any other work due to immigration and nothing could be done.
Eventually we managed to get him on a flight via NZ back to Melbourne which we paid for ourselves even though that wasn’t in the agreement.
He was weekly given assurances money was coming and that he would be back paid all income well this money never came but even though his now been home for 4 months he was weekly asked back by GH and each time he responded asking for the money owed it seems GH has got the message and now not responded to my husband in a number of weeks.
I am posting this on his behalf as due to contract he is unable to but nothing stops me from warning other families

[Hello Pilots]

Congratulations for shooting your husband in the foot.......But thanks for the heads up

[garly1]

There’s been heaps of warnings on here about this company! Sucks that your husband had to learn the hard way.

[skypig]

Thanks.
Keeping silent on these operators allow the perpetrators to continue stealing from trusting pilots.

[Yankee]

Been there done that... worked for a company in the Midwest that “had trouble paying the bills” ... in the end submitted a contract to the employer that basically stated that I had to be paid in advance. Obviously the employer refused, shook the owners hand and wished him luck... went home, sat on the couch and waited.... 3 hours later my phone rang, apparently the company owner had changed his mind and agreed to my terms.

Lots of shady operations around the world. Always a good idea to talk to previous employees.

[disgruntledwife]

Congratulations for shooting your husband in the foot.......But thanks for the heads up

He knows about this post his not been shot in the foot at all, but thanks for your response.

[disgruntledwife]

Thanks.
Keeping silent on these operators allow the perpetrators to continue stealing from trusting pilots.

Absolutely my hubby is a engineer and unfortunately after 20 plus years in the industry this was the final straw he is now out of the industry.
Which is sad as his a great engineer and been looked up to by many.

[Fill-level]

Unfortunately Aviation has changed for the worse, companies want cheap employees and people who say nothing and just go along with it.

You're husband did the right thing, aviation has become a uber driver situation.

[skypig]

Unfortunately Aviation has changed for the worse, companies want cheap employees and people who say nothing and just go along with it.

You're husband did the right thing, aviation has become a uber driver situation.

Amen

[Kulwin Park]

you did the right thing, waiting it out at home until they paid! If they paid up front about months months pay, then I've would've gone back too. It would show if they were keen to keep him, by just doing that. Sometimes the serious smaller players are the best ones to work for.

[Concerned Kiwi]

Nothing changes with them, they have a very long history of doing the same to ppl they pursuade to join them from all over the world, USA, and South America. The word should be out by now STAY CLEAR!
Well done for speaking out.

[Watchdawg]

Probably worth googling GH and have a read about what else he’s gotten up too in the past

[Roundhill150]

https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j ... QHgxrVAFzi

[Roundhill150]

Surprised he is still in business there. Even more surprised people in the industry aren’t more aware.

[wotyaup2]

https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwim28LxprDtAhUzyTgGHZ70BE8QFjAAegQIBRAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fijileaks.com%2Fhome%2Fhelipro-fiji-choppers-aussie-directors-accused-of-past-financial-scams-and-bainimaramas-rugby-pal-dan-lobendahn-and-peter-howard-local-directors-and-accused-scam-artist-graeme-hedge-is-company-secretary&usg=AOvVaw2iHfXrVUL9CYQHgxrVAFzi

Michael Barbieri Who was/is the “projects director” has tried to get me over there a few times in the last 5 years, I kinda played along with no intention of following through as I googled his name, based in Melb and is accused of a few different scams over the years.

[Turning base]

Congratulations for shooting your husband in the foot.......But thanks for the heads up

useless and unhelpful comment. particularly given this operator has come under notice before.

[plumber]

I see that Australia has it's own brand of Qwest Helicopters.

[oscarprez14]

Hello All,

I recently reached out looking for employment in Fiji. I got a message from Graeme Hedge about a job opportunity. I googled his name and obviously saw some scam, legal issues, but those seem to be from a long time ago. What has happened since then, and is the company/business legit. When I google him and his partners name I don't see anything within the past 10 years or so.

[garly1]

Stay away

[Rotorpilot]

Unfortunately Aviation has changed for the worse, companies want cheap employees and people who say nothing and just go along with it.

You're husband did the right thing, aviation has become a uber driver situation.

Amen

Second both previous statements.
I once asked for.a.pay rise got rewarded with a month off work.