TT2
"I worked my bollocks of to be a pilot, and indeed learned a fantastic amount form Senior Techs when I went into Engineering" -
So did you make it through flying training to the frontline and then go into engineering later or ?
Like Harry and many others, I joined without a degree, ended up single seat - a degree and school quals can make zero difference, or a world of difference - it all depends on the individual.
Regardless, he went through flying training, graduated, and has now been on operations performing his duty - there is no space on the frontline for pilots not able to perform, so rest assured he clearly has talent and is good at his job.