Well Honest Frank...
Good to know that you are still our shop steward even though you've now escaped!I didn't know that you could write so passionately and eloquently!
I was one of those Cabair boys and I must admit that some of the instructors did get picked on for being outspoken, but to be perfectly honest Sturns if you see the 'sponsorship' deal for what it is, ie a symbiotic relationship between Grabair & instructor and keep your head down; fly when you are able to, and develop good relationships with your students and colleagues, you will enjoy your two year sentence. We had a great laugh in my day, and made some extremely good friends out of colleagues and students, not to mention around 1500 hours of experience which enabled me to go straight to a jet position.
Also looking at the financial package for the instructors now, it looks like it's a better deal than we were on. We started on AFI £250PM basic + £8PH flight pay, with a bonus scheme of £15PH for every hour flown over 40 in the winter and 60 in the summer. Many of us did achieve the bonus and were clocking up between 60 & 90 hours in the summer. And before anyone says it and starts having a go at me, I only went flying when it was beneficial and appropriate for the student to do so, although of course there were others that went flying regardless of the weather on a regular basis, and I'm sure we all remember who they were! As I remember rightly that was the instructors decision and not under any pressure from anyone else. In fact I do believe that the management even had to 'rein'in these renegades in from time to time.
Sturns I'll email you my email address and if you want any further info.
Good Luck
GeeGee
[This message has been edited by GeeGee (edited 28 May 2001).]