Agreed they would have the right skills and experience - but would RAF aircrew necessarily want to leave the RAF, obtain civilian licences, then effectively rejoin?
Trim Stab, that is pretty much what has happened to some folk over the last couple of years. I know of chaps who left the RAF in the fairly recent past, joined airlines, have been made redundant some time shortly thereafter, and one or two of those have ended up back in the RAF.
The job market in civvie-street is not exactly 'inviting' at the moment, due to the global recession. Some folk may be coming up to the end of their commission engagements, will not have an opportunity to be assimilated past their engagement (think of the savings the MoD are being asked to make), but such people may be attracted to the AAR contract because of their experience ..... and they may be able to get employment as such. Because of their experience, they are likely to be relatively cheap to 'train'/re-employ in the role. With the dearth of other aviation jobs going, I would say they might consider that a fortunate opportunity, don't you think?
Beags, well said! (Was wondering when you would come back in on this thread - SF is obviously ****e-stirring.
)