Jobsworth, a lot of things to take into consideration, i.e. location, cost of housing, prospects etc etc. Assuming you can go anywhere in the UK. From a personal point of view a good grounding is to start off in a hangar environment. A couple of reasons, less time constraints compared with the ramp, yes I know you have to get a/c out in the morning or next week but when you only have a 45-60min turn things can be a bit hectic and you're having to think on your feet and use your experience and judgement, remember no martin baker seats to aid escape, especially for the 400 down the back, who are all moaning about something or other not working. Also in the hangars there are a lot of people you can learn from, if you get into heavy stuff you are really down to the nuts and bolts of things and you learn far more of where things are, what they do and how to fix them. Which if in later years will be invaluable on the ramp. It may be worth looking at the following BAMC which I think has a website at
http://www.bamc.co.uk based at Cardiff international! airport. B747 and now 777 major maintenance, I did a few years there, started before the hangar was even built. FLS either Stanstead or Manchester, major maintenance in the hangars from 737 to DC10 and a range in between
http://www.flsaerospace.com/ also have a thriving ramp operation. Marshalls at
http://www.marshallaerospace.com/ BMA at Heathrow and East mids Monarch at Luton/Manchester
http://www.monarch-airlines.com/ BA
http://www.british-airways.com/sitegide/docs/atoz.shtml and I'm sure there are loads more. Air 200o ramp only
http://www.air2000.co.uk/jobs.htm You could always ask the ALAE at
http://www.lae.mcmail.com who may be able to advise you, there is an e-mail facility and various links on the site.
By the way 19K is, I believe, around the average salary for non-certifying mechanic. However there is always the opportunity for OT but you'll have to put some hours in. You'll also need your own tools except at places like BAMC expect to pay at least 2K for something 1/2 decent.
Good luck.
Don't get lulled into a false sense at standards being lowered, not a good frame of mind to be in, it still isn't easy it's just a bit easier than it was 5-10 years ago.
[This message has been edited by spannersatcx (edited 27 February 2000).]