have to agree with most of the above. after my time in the RAF i have definatly not looked back and now a B1.3 on the offshore support helicopters in Aberdeen. I get paid more than a Sqn leader, and I control my own life and destiny. the job is hard work at times, but its certainly not anything like being in the RAF! get a trip away somewhere on OT and you can earn yourself a nice little wad of cash. like £3k for a week away is by no means difficult to achieve. lots of time off if you are on shift.
Also from an operational point of view. i can take an aircraft away and i dont need a team of Cpl, SGT, F/S, WO or J/SEngO to cover and Reds and greens etc. i can do all that myself. a lot less layers of wasted manpower.
I was a TG1 lowest of the low when i left.
And LITS is a nightmare firmly in the past!