Good luck to everyone.
The length of service of some of our guys is testament to the quality of the job especially if you want a good UK based job.
Yes time to command has been an issue but I believe it is all changing as the catch up of the fly to 65 rule, SARS, 2008 credit crisis and most importantly merger is behind us.
I have had a wicked time and flown the 757, 767, 737 and destined for the 787 in a couple of years after career break return where currently enjoying the tastes
of South East Asia. Done Canada SSV/swg three times and taken two winters off to fly elsewhere. I ve actually had more time out of the TOM than in it but still drawn some sort of salary and pension arrangements all the time. That's the beauty of the job for me, seasonality and the schemes that it brings. Complete your apprentiship and all these will become available to you.
I often keep in touch with mates at Ek and BA who sadly just fly a radar vectored ILS everyday.
Life is about fun and vareity!