Newfieboy: " I get paid good coin to be in the curve all day, for a reason... it can be bloody dangerous. "
I hope you do get paid good coin too!
The very nature of this thread illustrates why you should. But I wonder if it is really enough, in comparison to say....ummm..... an IFR helicopter pilot for instance? Would you be in their league pay scale wise? What do others have to say on this? After all, if you've got the money and inclination most could go out and get an instrument rating, co-pilot position to lift the skills, and Bob's your uncle, you can now watch your nice shiny helicopter fly itself from A to B on autopilot.
(couldn't find an emoticon for tongue in cheek)
You, on the other hand, probably roughed it through some pretty harsh environments and taught yourself some pretty special skills along the way. If you get plenty of work in your specialist field it is probably because you excel in it. Now your working day involves sitting in the dangerous zone being discussed here. Here you are reciting useful of ways to perhaps save lives if your very lucky, and accepting that you could be banged up a bit if you are just lucky.
Unless you are paid far more than I think you are you are probably not paid enough sir.
And before all the IFR boys wade into me on this, I didn't say you were overpaid.