'With all the skills we acquire it seems now just how under paid we are.'
Yes I reckon you are right, we spend years getting the training and experience and for years paid peanuts. I remember well the number of times upper levels have told me if you don't like it f**k off.
Now the tables have turned full circle, and there are jobs paying passable salary. There are certainly less mechs willing stay with aircraft.
I am happy enough for once with pay. The only continuing problem that goes with the job, the responsibilty of work done stays with us way into the future and on the paperwork.
Work in mines and the rigs, industrial turbines certainly is the way to go. I spend any spare moment when meeting young people in the industry to look at the big world outside of aviation. More pay, less responsibily but admittedly boring.