Sadly, Like Black-hand magic, as an Aussie outstation LAME I too can see the writing on the wall. Unfortunately it isn't a case of
simple good management
because the accountant/management people couldn't give a toss about the
waste (of) a highly trained, experienced, expensive and scarce LAME(s)
all they see is the costs.
I know this because there is an emerging trend in Australia of base station LAMEs who have had the variety of doing tarmac duties taken off them by
Loaders doing headset on pushback, the deicing crews releasing the aircraft (maybe not
) ,the refuellers controlling the refuel panel, and the cleaners converting the seats
and are basically stuck on permanent nightshift wielding a grease gun, which funnily enough also seems a
waste (of) a highly trained, experienced, expensive and scarce LAME on such menial work
and are now seeking outstation positions at unlicensed engineer rates plus predetermined amount per signature, undercutting us and setting a precedent, in a not dissimilar fashion to LCC pilots undercutting their Legacy carrier workmates. The Incumbent Australian government's industrial relations policies contribute to the ease of this.
What I can't fathom is that I could not get an outstation job for 20 years because I wasn't qualified or experienced enough; but now those same qualifications and experience I worked my butt off to get will now, in all likelihood, be my downfall.
Luckily my port is 4 hours flight time away from any other, which sort of helps my continued existance, and my employer is happy for me to attend each turnaround (for now). Sadly that doesn't help my workmates in other ports closer to the Big Castle.
I watched a LCC turnaround the night before last taxi back to the gate and wait 2 hours for a LAME to be called out (at 3 in the morning) to clear a warning light, and it seems to me that society in general is prepared to wait a few hours every so often if it is going to save them a few bucks on the price of a seat...
Ave a good night...