Chad Helmuth, at CX UK we don't get approval pay. Having said that what we do get is salary that is completely pensionable. So instead of having a basic of say 20K which is pensionable plus Licence/approval pay of upto say 10K which is not pensionable. The only parts that are not pensionable is shift pay, which I don't get as a Certifying Engineer but Mechanics or non certifying people do. In the longer term I think I have a good deal as come pension time as my basic salary is higher I will get a far better pension. So although, hypothetically speaking, you could be on the same overall pay as me, down the road a few years you will be not so well of. Also as the basic is higher O/T rates are higher as well. I hope this gives you some food for thought. I have in previous positions received approval pay but personally think the salaried package is a better deal. Also you wouldn't be disadvantaged in losing approval pay if for some reason you weren't given a type course or the type was withdrawn.