Ex Forces? Full Pension? Watch out!!!
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: UK
Age: 57
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it is what it is mate.
it's economics of business.Yes, have your moan by all means but that will change what exactly.
I was an RAF rigger, my training was easily good enough and difficult enough for me to pass the licenses required to get to where I am now.
You have to operate in the world -it takes less energy than changing it.
If aviation fell on it's @rse tomorrow, I'd retrain myself in something else and bounce back too. Feeling sorry for yourself is useless
it's economics of business.Yes, have your moan by all means but that will change what exactly.
I was an RAF rigger, my training was easily good enough and difficult enough for me to pass the licenses required to get to where I am now.
You have to operate in the world -it takes less energy than changing it.
If aviation fell on it's @rse tomorrow, I'd retrain myself in something else and bounce back too. Feeling sorry for yourself is useless
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sweden
Age: 56
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Who's feeling sorry for themselves? I personally wouldn't touch military contracts with a barge pole. I don't even work in the UK, I stay in Europe where my accomodation and flights are paid for or I receive allowances as part of my package.
I guess the point is that IF no-one sold themselves short and took these jobs then the rate would have to go up. However, trying to get engineers to stick together even when they all work for the same company is like trying to herd cats. Trying to get connies to stick together is like trying to push you-know-what uphill with a pointy stick.
I just think an attitude of "stop whinging, get a licence, the world owes you nothing, bloody ex-forces useless wasters" is hardly constructive either. Yes I am ex-forces, no I don't have a pension, yes I am unlicensed and no, I wouldn't get out off bed for crap money like that and I just find it hard to believe that people do. The training we received in the forces makes us worth more than that. Guys who are leaving have to have a bit more belief in themselves and their value to civvy employers (without getting too far up themselves obviously).
Comments like " It's only because a company took the chance on you, an un-licensed ex-forces chap" are in my opinion quite derogatory and are not going to encourage forces leavers to set their sights to an appropriate level.
I guess the point is that IF no-one sold themselves short and took these jobs then the rate would have to go up. However, trying to get engineers to stick together even when they all work for the same company is like trying to herd cats. Trying to get connies to stick together is like trying to push you-know-what uphill with a pointy stick.
I just think an attitude of "stop whinging, get a licence, the world owes you nothing, bloody ex-forces useless wasters" is hardly constructive either. Yes I am ex-forces, no I don't have a pension, yes I am unlicensed and no, I wouldn't get out off bed for crap money like that and I just find it hard to believe that people do. The training we received in the forces makes us worth more than that. Guys who are leaving have to have a bit more belief in themselves and their value to civvy employers (without getting too far up themselves obviously).
Comments like " It's only because a company took the chance on you, an un-licensed ex-forces chap" are in my opinion quite derogatory and are not going to encourage forces leavers to set their sights to an appropriate level.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: london
Age: 59
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The problem is there is a over supply of aircraft fitters, i can recruit as many as i wish, (however the same cannot be said of vehicle mechs who are in shorter supply) ,the reason for this i feel is that the industry is swamped with unqualified people who have never undertaken a aircraft apprenticeship passing themselves off as "aircraft fitters" the majority of these people originated from places such as the big old BAE factories who were recruited in droves in the good times as semi skilled staff on producton work and then after a couple years left and went on the contracting circuit as "aircraft fitters"
The only way the rates will ever rise is when fitters are required to legally hold some form of qualification before they can be employed on aircraft work, its just far to easy for someone handy with tools to become a "aircraft fitter" im afraid, bottom line, if you wish to earn a good salary get licensed, and obtain some decent type rating on that licence
The only way the rates will ever rise is when fitters are required to legally hold some form of qualification before they can be employed on aircraft work, its just far to easy for someone handy with tools to become a "aircraft fitter" im afraid, bottom line, if you wish to earn a good salary get licensed, and obtain some decent type rating on that licence
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South West
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I am also ex-RAF and know plenty of guys who have left, done their licences and are doing quite nicely for themselves.
I also know ex-RAF guys who can't be a---d studying and have gone connying, love the life and are doing quite nicely for themselves.
I also know a quite a few guys who have left after 22 years who have settled with their families in the area of their last station. The families are settled, they like where they live, etc. These are bloody good engineers though unlicenced. Some have tried connying but didn't like it - too far to commute daily to the nearest job, don't want to live away from thefamily, wasn't worth it when expenses deducted from earnings, etc. They could do their licencesand scoosh them but it comes back to the same scenario as connying - they don't want to do it.
With the privatisation of a lot of jobs on RAF bases they have been able to stay at home with their families and earn enough to keep them happy.
As far as I'm concerend, it still comes back to employers being able to employ people at rates the market can stand. If the rate was too low and nobody would work for it then they have to raise the rate until it reaches a level where people will work for them.
Basic economics, not rocket science or solidarity amongst the proletariat, no herding of cats or national negotiating. People can make their own choices, take it or leave it.
I also know ex-RAF guys who can't be a---d studying and have gone connying, love the life and are doing quite nicely for themselves.
I also know a quite a few guys who have left after 22 years who have settled with their families in the area of their last station. The families are settled, they like where they live, etc. These are bloody good engineers though unlicenced. Some have tried connying but didn't like it - too far to commute daily to the nearest job, don't want to live away from thefamily, wasn't worth it when expenses deducted from earnings, etc. They could do their licencesand scoosh them but it comes back to the same scenario as connying - they don't want to do it.
With the privatisation of a lot of jobs on RAF bases they have been able to stay at home with their families and earn enough to keep them happy.
As far as I'm concerend, it still comes back to employers being able to employ people at rates the market can stand. If the rate was too low and nobody would work for it then they have to raise the rate until it reaches a level where people will work for them.
Basic economics, not rocket science or solidarity amongst the proletariat, no herding of cats or national negotiating. People can make their own choices, take it or leave it.
