I started out as an apprentice motor mechanic with Mercedes Benz and left to work on helicopters. As a first year "appy" aircraft mech I almost doubled my wage from the auto industry, but as soon as I qualified things levelled out between me and my auto friends.
A lot of them are now service managers, workshop managers or similar while I am a line engineer with a major operator. Had I stayed working at home we would be on a par salary wise, with me slightly behind them.
It takes me 3 days each way to get to and from work and currently I am 6 timezones away from home
, but by my calculation if I had a real job and had to commute to and from the airport and with the overtime I would be expected to work
, I would see far less of my small kids than the
5 months of leave I get right now.
Add to that the fact that I am tax-free on my salary and you have what I believe is a far better deal.
I know this will not be everyone's cup of tea, but I am doing something I really enjoy, in far more places than I could ever have hoped to see as a tourist.
I still work on cars (mine) and nothing frustrates me more than setting plugs, changing filters, grazed knuckles and all the associated nausea that goes with fixing cars.
I love what I do!!! The lifestyle that goes with it is not bad too.
Merry Christmas and a peaceful festered season to you all!!