Where do you start...........
Oh boy, are you likely to get some interesting answers!
Bad points:-
1. You can't join for a specific WSop trade anymore, so make sure you are ready to accept whatever is on offer. Whilst the concept of retraining to other specialisations within the WSop sphere is laudable, people tend to stay within their initial trade for some time.
2. Life doesn't follow the brochure! If you ask some of the younger guys here, I'm sure they can PM you with real life experience.
Good Points:-
1. You get out what you put in. The job spec is still interesting ( max repect to my rotary brethren in the land of sand, VERY interesting at times for them), there is still a chance to travel, to work with some great people (and some idiots too!) and to do something rewarding.
2. On a more mundane point, there is decent pay and long term contract employment.
Beware of:-
1. People who tell you it isn't what it used to be. Everything changes, both service and civvy. Accept the current terms and conditions for what they are and make up your own mind.
2. People who tell you there is too much niff naff and getting messed around. Happens in civvy street as well.
Good luck and best wishes. After 23 years, I still love it, but you'll never know unless you give it a go!