Unmanaged. I still can't figure what you're on about - don't understand the banter old man. So we get early retirement... so do coppers... so do some airline pilots. There will always be somebody better off than oneself - I'm desperately envious of multi-millionaires but I'm othwise happy in my job and wouldn't change it! You call your ATCO cousin a "poor cow" - that's very nice, if I might say so. Has it not dawned upon you that she must have wanted to be an ATCO and probably thoroughly enjoys the job? If not she shouldn't be doing it. If you don't like your working conditions why not work with your union to get them changed or find another job?
As for office workers doing 12-hour days the word "barmy" springs to mind - and I really mean it. They're either workaholic or mad (same thing) and need to seriously consider what they're doing to themselves... and their families.
[ 25 August 2001: Message edited by: HEATHROW DIRECTOR ]