Engineers in our industry are underpaid and not respected, but this doesn't necessarily reflect in our pay packets. The day of the airline perk is drawing to a close, but what about other periferals such as membership to fitness clubs, or subsidised social outings? Do any of us get them? I certainly don't. Yet the hi-tech engineers working on developing hard and software all seem to. Even shop floor workers at a car plant near where I work get better perks than me. Time that the feel good factor was restored to aviation maintenance instead of 'If you cannot get that aircraft out the door in 9 days, we will all be down the road' attitude that now prevails. What will happen if loweat quote maintenance wins the day and all heavy work goes to Asia and the Far East? No health and safety regulations, minimum wage or working time directives over there. But there is limited hangar space too. No doubt He With The Biggest Cheque Book would win the day there, so I recon that our jobs are safe for a few years yet.