For me, it's not a "pay me what I'm worth" issue. Honestly, after a pay raise in May, $117,000 for a FLTLT ain't that bad right?
But when you look at the financial benefits of 10-20 years down the track, where one can quite conceivably earn $200-250K, the RAAF just can't compete. (edit: and a friend who works where I'm about to go, is only away from home 10-14 days a month)
I agree with control snatch to a certain extent. We all do think we are so important. The last time this happened, did our capability fall to the floor? Were we invaded because we had no aircrew? Did planes fall out of the sky from inexperienced pilots? No. The RAAF survived, and they will again. Anyone who thinks anything else.....probably flys jets and wears spurs to mess dinners.......
Unfortunately, my tax dollar is going straight into the hand of a bunch of spec aircrew SQNLDRS who had no intention of ever leaving, in the form of a retention benefit.