Damienmk,
I was a copper in the Met for 15 years before I became a pilot. I now fly the 737 for a Loco. Your posts show a slight naivety towards police work which leads me to believe you have not been doing it for very long. Lets start with the shifts: I was always a shift worker in the police but be prepared for a shock mate.The earlies start much earler-In the police the earliest I was out of bed was 0430-loco 0300 regularly.Police-get home from early-1500.Loco 1800 back again 0300 for the next day. Late starts-police,leave home 1330 home at 2300.Loco leave home at 1130 home at 0100.
You mention being shot at,abused etc. Yes I agree stressful(though I would be interested to hear if you have ever been shot at). But really stressful events are not common in the police. ( And I say that having driven the area car around Forest Gate, East London, one of the most crime ridden boroughs in the country for 8 years)Every day in the airline world you will be landing in !!!!e weather etc with almost 200 people to take care of.Much more responsibility. You talk about salary increasing by 2x. you must be very junior in the police,I took a major pay cut to be a jet FO. I think you are doing the right thing but go into it with your eyes open-this is not utopia it is marginally better than the 'old bill' and enjoy your career
Last edited by Gunman returns; 9th June 2005 at 22:21.