Did 17 years in base/hangar work before vernturing on the line for the last 16, yes base/hangar experience is very good at giving you an edge on the line as, hopefully, you gain a real insight into things you don't NORMALLY see when on the line.
When things break, as they do, on the line not everyone has the luxury of nipping into a hangar. Engine changes on the ramp aren't too difficult with a bootstrap, done flap changes, windscreen changes etc mostly on 747's on the ramp, it can get interesting trying to change a flap in the snow with a 20 knot breeze!
