Scooter,
actually a few of us ex AN/QF/
VB/J* are having a great time here "wasting our lives away". Sure, most would head back if wages/conditions/job security were on par or close, but the fact is that is not the case.
Plenty will do 10 or so years out of the 'sheltered workshop' and come home in a far heathier financial position than if they had stayed.
Gotta go - off to spend my $35K (AUD) bonus (tax free by the way)
