A good ATSA is worth their weight in gold, a bad one ain't worth a heap of the steaming stuff, fortunately most ATSAs are in the first category and it's a career well worth pursuing.
Don't get too excited about the salary, outwith NATS most regional airports have reduced starting salaries to a pittance, although most offer the opportunity to progress onward with ATCO training schemes if that's what you want.
Under current pension rules, only basic pay is included, the extra allowances don't count.
40p per mile is the current limit imposed by HMCR, anything above that attract income tax at the appropriate rate.
Just what is going on between Bamboozle and Gonzo, ('er being a lass from the flat lands soon to be going to the sarf coast and 'im being on the selection panel????
).