I have a private, non-aviation venture (2 actually!) but also have 2 future job interviews in aviation plus a backup of middle east flying.
I met an electrician last month who made 75k in the UK last year. And the year before he made 105k working in Spain. Not Basra or Baghdad, although there are maybe more bullets in Birmingham!?
I have had, as I'm sure others have, the realisation that RAF pay, even as PA, is not actually that good. The truth really is that people who stay either do like their jobs, or just can't be arsed to find another one. If I'd stayed, I'd probably have very quickly become the latter, so decided to go. I've had a good time and will leave with some great memories - it didn't go too sour at the end and I'll look back with satisfaction, pride and a little sadness.