Qol Isk [Archive] - PPRuNe Forums

WarmInTheMiddle

20th Feb 2003, 10:16

Quality of life on an MPA sqn at Kinloss is probably no better or worse than any on sqn on any stn operating large ac. Along with the other Armed Service branches, the RAF is now a fully “out of area” organization – we don’t do our business on the Central Front or GIUK gap anymore – Biggus’s point I think…

Tagged “Ice Station Kilo” by some (usually young, single and first-tourist) AEOps and Air Engs, Kinloss is actually an acquired taste that sits well with the vast majority of people who operate there. Yes, it is 3 hours’ drive north of the Scottish central belt (add another 7 to get to soft, Southern Cockiney land) and, yes, it is not awash with Blue Water/Lakeside/MetroCentre-type shopping megaliths. It is, however, isolated from many negative aspects of modern life: crime levels are generally lower and there are no gridlocked roads. The Scottish education system is generally considered superior to that of England’s and property prices are consistently lower than almost anywhere else in the country. In general, you can indulge in similar social activities as those enjoyed in England.

Of the 430-ish AEOps in the RAF, nearly 60% serve at Kinloss. Most of these people: are aged 30-plus, have school-aged children, have a spouse in full or part-time employment and have a mortgage to service; consequently, they have no wish to move South. To a large extent, these “settled” individuals provide a balance with AEOps/Engs who serve at Waddington/Cranwell and have no wish to move North. Given the 60/40 North-South split, simple math dictates that Kinloss will always be a dominant factor in AEOp manning considerations. Inevitably, some AEOps serving in the South are occasionally required to do a “stretch” in Scotland. Some go willingly, others kick and scream and a minority suddenly find compassionate reasons to avoid taking their turn.

The bottom line. Young(er) AEOps who have completed a (5-ish year) first tour and wish to move to other ac types (E3, R1, ASTOR etc), should have as much (if not more) chance of doing so as those individuals who are currently serving in the South. To achieve this equity of opportunity, some of the 40% of AEOps domiciled in England should expect to move North (for a while at least). Equally, for those individuals who do move South to expect to remain away from the prime employment base (escapee please note) for the remainder of their careers is at best naive and, at worst, selfish.

In other threads on this site (eg. Airman Aircrew Pay Review), the suggestion that the MPA fleet be moved from Kinloss regularly occurs - this idea is specious. Apart from the political dimension (Kinloss/Lossie generate £20M every year for the Moray area), what would be the point of uprooting/upsetting the vast majority of AEOps who are perfectly happy at Kinloss and replacing them with a group of equally disgruntled people (and their families) from the South?

I’m aware that I may have strayed from the original thread idea over the last few paragraphs and that some of the above might upset people at Kinloss and down South – nevertheless these are my honest thoughts. For the record, I am not currently serving at Kinloss but did complete nearly 13 years there not so long ago. Kinloss still features as one of my posting preferences.

Keep Smilin’*/Moanin’*

*Delete as applicable
:p :p :p :mad: :p :p