I think there have been some wise words on here, clearly written and concisely presented. The phrase 'jam tomorrow' was a recurrent theme through my service.
Originally Posted by
Ascoteer
- A real terms 12% pay cut since 2008
- Reduction and removal of allowances (IA, reductions in mileage allowance, 20% reduction in most subsistence allowance)
- Enforced pension change from AFPS75 to AFPS15. Although the pension is still good, this change in itself costs upward of £100k. Not to mention the RPI to CPI change!
- Housing issues. Housing works if you're married, or you're single. If you want to live with your partner and not be married, it's of little consequence to the package, especially when you are South East based. 'FAM' is unknown and not likely to be better.
The people above adding an arbitrary 51% to the RAF salary to compensate for the pension are living a fallacy. There are very few of us outside that would salary sacrifice 51% to their pension pot; most of the young 'uns are still striving to buy ever-inflating property, which the invisible RAF pension does not help.
...
After leaving I'm on a comfortable 6 figures (not adding pension or allowances or bonuses), work up to 14 days a month, live in the same area, don't go into work if I'm not flying and don't have to deal with the day-to-day Service annoyances (JPA, Imprests, CCS, SDO, JOD, GPCs, IRT, RSOI).
Sure, I miss seeing my RAF buddies daily, but most realise that the grass IS greener, unless you are one of the few where the RAF really fits (children in private school, married quarter, PA etc, or you've escaped the frontline and work mon-fri). I had an awesome time, met awesome people, but glad I didn't listen to those who have never actually experienced life 'outside', and seem determined to convince people that ever-reducing Ts & Cs and ever-increasing workload is normal (although I'm sure that may be the case for some airlines as well!).
Ascoteer 👍those are almost carbon copies of my reasons for leaving. I was rotary and I have achieved my Flt Lt salary in my first FW job. Best estimate is that I'll move LHS in 5 years. That is far better pay and conditions progression than anything the RAF would have considered offering me.
The Senior Leadership team need to address this tranche of concerns as people are voting with their feet. This can only be made worse as BA have started recruiting non-TR. The BA recruitment 'ripple' will undoubtedly pull through the system, creating openings for more of the rotary and FW pilots looking for their first civilian pay check. Fresh opportunities, and friends seeing old Sqn pals enjoying themselves 'outside' will have a compound negative effect on retention. I feel for the Sqn bosses putting huge efforts in, with a dwindling workforce who struggle for experience... it's those guys and gals that suffer huge stress trying to 'guide' their team to stay with 'jam tomorrow' and instilled fear of job failures. [every single RAF pilot passed rigorous selection... it's very likely that other employers will recognise quality candidates]
Lastly - almost all the current pilots have had huge operational experience. I feel there is a point once combat flying has been tasted, the 'need' to repeatedly doesn't exist for the majority.
I love the RAF and thoroughly enjoyed my time, but it was time to go and it appears many others pilots are the same. Let's hope enough of the good guys & gals stay to keep the standards and ethos high. Happy 100th
SIA