I have been working as a fitter in an underground coal mine for the last 7 months after 22 years as an aircraft engineer.
Well the pay is pretty damn good, stress is close to zero and you work as hard or as easy as you want.
So what's it like?
Can be hot, dusty, you have a lamp on your head which is your only light most times, doesn't feel like your confined to a small tunnel as they are mostly quite big.
The machines are robust and relatively easy to understand and operate.
The rosters are generally equal time day night 10 to 12 hour shifts.
These mines are looking constantly for tradesman to fill positions but its generally a who you know that gets you in the door if you have no mining experience.
Pay rates go up regularly (doesn't happen in aviation).
They bus me 45 min to work and back, wash my work clothes, give out xmas presents and a cash bonus.
Long service accumulates no mater what mine you work at, and your sick days get paid out when you leave.
So what's the problem?
It's so freaking boring, hardly any mentally challenging tasks and man you get dirty.
It's a 14 hr day from door to door.
Must be time I finished my pilot license......
