I have served 20 years in the RAF and 20 years in 4 airlines.
I enjoyed the RAF but I don't regret leaving, as it is better for young people to be in the forces. I now get paid twice what I did before and do a job that is half as difficult. All you have to do is fly from A to B under well defined rules.
The work schedules are well defined, but the only things that are cast in stone are your 'Days Off.'
Forget having weekends or time off in the summer.
You have to make your own social life outside work.
The forces have quality, properly trained people all the way up from the guy that works in stores, to admin, to squadron boss to Air Marshal. Airlines just hire whoever is cheapest and available for a short course that started yesterday. And - management in general is pathetic. The senior people and the ethics in the industry are close to zero. The environment is soul-less.
Commercial airlines do not offer security of job, so be prepared to be moved or shafted in some other way at short notice.
I still enjoy the flying itself, but the company environment means you must not sell your soul to your work ,as one would (with justifiable pride) in the RAF.
Most airlines offer part-time (75% or 50%) work after a few years of service, which if you can afford it gives you certainty over time off and allows planning your life months ahead instead of just weeks ahead.
Take the plunge, enjoy the money and build your own life outside work.
Last edited by fiftyfour; 8th July 2008 at 09:49.