Pay was one of the many reasons I left the RAF. Jumped ship last year after 10 years, PVR'd with a B1 licence and now work for a large airline earning a wage which reflects my level of responsibility.
Getting paid the same wage as a cook or RAFP is damn right insulting. As Sausage2 so rightly pointed out, the consequences of a techie screwing up does not bear thinking about.
The RAF holds back individuals in the techie world who want to get on. How many times have you worked for a Cpl, Sgt or Chf Tech knowing damn well you are perfectly capable of doing their job but are prevented from doing so because you have been overlooked for promotion or haven't accrued a sufficient number of years service? This is where the system falls down, if somebody is capable of doing a job then they should be allowed to fulfill that opportunity, regardless of rank. Why do you have to be a SNCO to do GE duties for example? I know some really switched on Cpl's and even J/T's for that matter who would have excelled in the post.
I did read somewhere on this forum that plans are afoot to introduce civilian licenses for certain Cpl's, Sgt's and Chf Tech's posted onto FSTA (if it ever comes in). What a load of rubbish, another rank orientated system. If a J/T, or SAC(T) is capable of passing the exams and courses then he/she is your man!
To anybody thinking of pursuing a career in civil aviation, the move is/was a good one, the grass is definitely greener on the outside. Factor on earning £25-30k as a mechanic and £40-50k as a licensed engineer, overtime on top of that. Licensed engineers on the contract circuit can pull in £7k a month. It's not all about the money, it's also the quality of life. Being able to live in your own house and see your family every day after work is wonderful. No more wishing your life away living in the block whilst on shift waiting for stand down to come round or the 4 month OOA's.
Moral was low when I left a year ago, doubt very much whether things have improved. You only had to look at the number of people applying for redundancy.
I enjoyed my time in the RAF and am grateful for the fact that it armed me with a trade and skills which were transferable outside. I Left at the right time, didn't want to become one of those bitter and twisted individuals hanging it out for the pension.
DT_Xtremez_32:
