tcwayne, cant help with the 4 hr thing.No idea.But the job has changed.
It is far harder now to get a license than 20 or 30 years ago.Much less company type training.Many QF AME's pay for their own courses on their own holiday time.Even then no guarantee you will be paid for the license as you need to be on the QF system as a LAME.In other words they have their numbers of people they want to pay and that is it.
You could in theory be doing everything a LAME does and still get AME money.
The new EASA system has moved the goal posts too.Going to be a bit of a mess for a while.
I wish anyone well who wants to go the LAME way.It can be a rewarding job and some enjoy it, but I honestly would discourage my own kids from doing it.
The career path is so limited.
.
Maybe I am just another cynical old bugger at the wrong end of his career but I just dont find it attractive.
There is no glamour whatsoever.Zero.When you pull off a great fix you are just doing your job.When you make a mistake you get your backside kicked, hard.
Think long and hard about why you want to do it.
Is it you love aircraft? (It'll wear off
)
Do you want the staff travel?(over rated
)
Does it sound like a cool job to be in ?( can be. Maybe a good for a pick up line and for conversation but after 20 or 30 yrs
)
Do you want a technical job? (There are better places / choices with a career path I am certain where your skills are sought after on the open market.)
If you like shift work and some do, its OK.Many work 4 on 4 off or similar which can be great but forget about having your Christmases , New years and Easters off.Just another night at the factory.You do get time off during the week which is excellent.
If you just get a day work gig the money is not that great.Much of the cream is from shift penalties or built into the award / contract as part of the package for working crappy hours / holidays etc.
All the best.A/C.