What To Expect
OK, so you've accepted a job offer and your head is swimming with thoughts of what to expect.

Reporting For Duty
Your new employer will give you the name of the heliport that you will be flying from and directions to get there. You should arrive at the heliport lounge at least twenty minutes early, especially the first time. Look for information on the flight to your rig, departure times and delay information will usually be displayed on several TV screens. If you have any difficulties identifying the information you need from the screen then ask a member of staff.

When you know exactly what is happening you can relax until your flight is called, using the name of the rig. There will be a café with hot snacks and drinks, also papers and magazines.

Your flying time could be as much as three hours depending on which rig you are going to, so a visit to the toilet before you go would be a shrewd move.

You will be called to check-in your baggage some time before you actually proceed through to the departure lounge. When your flight is called to depart there is no time to waste. You are only allowed to carry reading material into the helicopter.

A security guard will search you for a number of things including weapons, matches and lighters. Any such items found on your possession at that point will be confiscated. They will not let you board the helicopter if they believe you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You will then be given a survival suit and maybe also a thermal undergarment and be instructed on which TV lounge you will be sitting in for the helicopter emergency procedures video. After putting on your survival suit and lifejacket you should use the earplugs provided.

When everything is ready you will be led outside and into the helicopter passenger doors. You will then don the ear protectors and fasten your safety belt. When everyone is in, settled and the doors are closed, the pilot will give you flight information, which you should be able to hear despite having earplugs and ear defenders on.

On arrival at the rig you will be instructed on what to do. The rig heli-deck crew will open the doors and guide everyone out. Leave your ear defenders on the seat (unless instructed otherwise) and follow instructions on which way to go from the heli-deck. It is not necessary to memorize the above as you will be given instructions by appropriate personnel at heliport and on the rig. Also you will be able to follow what everyone else is doing, there may be over twenty others getting into the helicopter with you.