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Helicopterfixerman
23rd Jul 2010, 12:43
A few threads I've looked at have alluded to or explicitly stated that the aviation industry and in particular maintenance/engineering in particular in in a decline or even a bit of a mess.

Can any of you guys elaborate on this and explain what is meant? How is it decline exactly.

Genuine question.....:ok:

Alber Ratman
23rd Jul 2010, 21:28
Ask the guys made unemployed at STN, LTN, SEN, etc..

Or connie rates of £10 PH for unlicenced and £14 for line certifiers..

g_funk
23rd Jul 2010, 23:30
or being expected to move abroad for no extra money or any benefits i.e. flights home.

Alber Ratman
24th Jul 2010, 07:24
There are your genuine answers....:ugh:

Safety Concerns
24th Jul 2010, 09:52
The biggest problem is two fold.

There are those with no business acumen at all who feel they must cut every corner going to save the company financially without realising that they are in fact undermining everything coupled with regulators and governments who have fallen victim to the incessant whining that every airline is about to go out of business.

We have been here before. Gordon Brown said recently about the financial crisis that almost ruined everything:

All the complaints I was getting from the financial industry was, ‘Look, you’re regulating them too much’. And actually the truth is that
globally and nationally we should have been regulating them more,” he added. “So I’ve learnt from that. So you don’t listen to the industry when they say: ‘This is good for us’. You’ve got to talk about the whole public interest.”

Sound familiar. Unless those within this industry at all levels just do what they are supposed to do and forget about perceived financial implications, I could not recommend anyone to come into this business. The golden days are long gone.

B737-700
24th Jul 2010, 13:34
very true. keep away from aviation in general and engineering in particular as there is no future in this field

gizmofreak
24th Jul 2010, 14:17
@B737-700

So wat do you suggest for students who have already entered the field n wondering wat to do next..?:confused:

g_funk
24th Jul 2010, 14:46
They will eventually be given jobs. There is a big generation gap in industry! i think between myself and the next person there is a 15 year age gap. there will be a time soon where they will be needing engineer again and not cutting corners and underpaying etc etc.

either that or they can go into another industry altogether. wind turbine manufacture is on the up :O

Alber Ratman
24th Jul 2010, 16:37
Find a job in India..

inspectors
24th Jul 2010, 18:37
I've been in the industry for 25 years, when I started the LAME was held in high regard, now all companies are tightly controlled by the bean counters, who in my view consider profit before safety (sorry just my personal view). For the newer guys starting from school the LAME just looks like somebody who gets pushed around, underpaid for the time/qualifications, and who will usually quit telling all on the way out of the door to get another profession, sadly I don't see alot of future, still I soldier on!

Safety Concerns
25th Jul 2010, 09:59
I have a stalker how exciting. McClown your name is more than appropriate.

I think all those who genuinely work in this industry will be able to relate to Gordon Brown's comments. Anyone who tries to drive the thread away from these comments has a hidden agenda. Don't confuse that statement with forcing you to agree with it. Of course you may have a different opinion but then that opinion for or against would relate to the issue.

All the complaints I was getting from the financial industry was, ‘Look, you’re regulating them too much’. And actually the truth is that
globally and nationally we should have been regulating them more,” he added. “So I’ve learnt from that. So you don’t listen to the industry when they say: ‘This is good for us’. You’ve got to talk about the whole public interest.”

itsresidualmate
25th Jul 2010, 12:50
I'm an LAE contractor, I've worked in many countries and with many companies. My friends and neighbours work in banks, hospitals, media, all walks of life. There are few if any who earn as much as I do.
A previous poster mentioned LAEs being 'pushed around'. Only if you let it happen. An LAE needs a strong character to deal with crew, maintenance control, dispatchers etc. I have no experience of being pushed around. If I don't think an aircraft should fly for a technical reason, I don't sign the log book. Period.
The industry is cyclical as mentioned, we're in a low period right now, but things will get better. I even find myself currently on the best rate I've had for decades!
Aviation flight line engineering can be cold, wet, tiring, infuriating but I wouldn't give it up for an office job!

Helicopterfixerman
26th Jul 2010, 17:32
My friends and neighbours work in banks, hospitals, media, all walks of life. There are few if any who earns as much as I do.
A previous poster mentioned LAEs being 'pushed around'. Only if you let it happen. An LAE needs a strong character to deal with crew, maintenance control, dispatchers etc. I have no experience of being pushed around. If I don't think an aircraft should fly for a technical reason, I don't sign the log book. Period.
The industry is cyclical as mentioned, we're in a low period right now, but things will get better. I even find myself currently on the best rate I've had for decades!
Aviation flight line engineering can be cold, wet, tiring, infuriating but I wouldn't give it up for an office job!


Y'see this is why I asked. My experiences are pretty much as above in a north sea helicopter airline. I dont see safety compromised (if it's not serviceable it's not going) nor finances for operations at the sharp end restricted.

Hand on my heart, I also wouldn't say that regulations are compromised either, certainly not intentionally, and all CAA audit findings, etc apear to be adhered to regardless of cost of compliance.

So I just wondered what i was missing...........

matkat
26th Jul 2010, 17:40
I am a QA consultant and manager with several positions and form 4s behind me, I agree that the industry is now on the low ebb but will come back I am presently in europe on the best deal I have ever had even better than when I was in a not so good middle east country for the last year and a half. Things have to get better because if not there will be a very sharp drop in available signed-off aircraft and the public will (hopefully) realise that they actually have to pay for our(and your) expertise knowledge and experience.

Safety Concerns
26th Jul 2010, 19:58
if you lot open your eyes any further you may just see the end of you nose.

You sound like a bunch of car sales men who have of course never sold a dodgy motor!

itsresidualmate
27th Jul 2010, 14:00
I know you SC! You're that old bloke that sits in the crewroom aren't you?! The one that moans about the sky being too blue, the weather's too hot/cold, 'it were better when I were a lad', 'them pilots/managers/cleaners/hosties have been pushing me around again, ad infinitum!

...unless you're also a contractor and you're trying to keep new lads away from the industry to push the rate up? In that case I'm with you; aviation blows, stay away...!

WILCO.XMG
28th Jul 2010, 17:08
Tell me about it.. daunting for anybody about to take their first step into it. Hopefully its the right step in the right direction.

Safety Concerns
28th Jul 2010, 18:37
..unless you're also a contractor and you're trying to keep new lads away from the industry to push the rate up? In that case I'm with you

spot on mate, we have probably met. Come on wake up though. You won't get the rate up with your posts:ok:.

itsresidualmate
28th Jul 2010, 18:51
"...stay away new lads!...BURP...there's nuthin left for you in the galley...ow, my stomach hurts...":ok:

Bodjit
7th Aug 2010, 22:53
Helicopterfixerman,

Safetyconcern Alber and 737 has it on the nail............ This industry is fooked... for a more detailed explanation check my historical (not hysterical) posts.....

If Residual and Mcclown ever have the misfortune of having to look for another job they will realise how fooked it is mate... Theres currently x10 blokes for every job/contract and it ain't gonna reduce given the amount of new blood flooding in from everywhere.......

Me, in since 1986 and will be out of aviation hopefully within the next week....... Done connying, been a permy with bulletproof blue chip job...Yeah right!!!!! B1 & B2 but means fook all, the industry is flooded with them, some very switched on, most complete clueless fools (I've worked with plenty)
THERE IS NO SECURITY OF EMPLOYMENT AND REGULATION IS KILLING THIS INDUSTRY, soon it will be too expensive to become a conny, too expensive to get further types, too difficult and expensive to keep types current, hf training, course fees, Form 4 holders soon to certify type jobsheets, not your mates....oh yes lads its comig if not here already.....

Even companys now baulk at the cost of training..... O/T to cover, Hotac, hire cars etc, 6 months from course to sign if your lucky, thats some investment, if you're a conny its impossible, especially with the fact you are not earning whilst training AND the difficulties of getting adequate jobsheets filled to get your type.

Yes its cyclical and yep, thers alot of boys unemployed and in competition with you for the few contracts or jobs around..... Oh yeah, those honest agents as well........ we'll say no more there then. I could go on...

Nuff said
Bodjer, 1 week left hopefully then starting a new career.......... GLA, and I hope you never have to find a position or contract........