Dear Journo bloke or gal,
Here in the uk we have the ALAE, if you want to know the real truth on how the Licenced Aircraft Engineer is being undermined and undervalued across all airlines please speak to these guys. Why these guys are not sitting on more TU tables in airlines is beyond me.
Once upon a time an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer earned a salary equal to that of a GP and definitely a Pilot. The training was as intense and obviously the responsibilities attributed to that of the same importance. But hey anyone can do our job!
Operationally Engineering is seen as an huge pain to airlines, lets face it do you want to send your car into a garage for just a check etc??
I really enjoy my job and love working with aeroplanes, I have a long time until retirement and hope that my successors have the same opportunities that I have had.