Exit levels?
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Anywhere there's ships and aircraft available
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Southside,
Current FRI ends Mar 31 2007 no current plans exist to extend it.
LAI - its not all bad as there is definitely a worthwhile career to be had, its just that many are deciding to leave at about age 40 rather than sit it out to 55. Still lots of fun though!
Don't listen to us moaning old gits who have been around and done all the nice jobs and are now firmly in mangement land.
Si
Current FRI ends Mar 31 2007 no current plans exist to extend it.
LAI - its not all bad as there is definitely a worthwhile career to be had, its just that many are deciding to leave at about age 40 rather than sit it out to 55. Still lots of fun though!
Don't listen to us moaning old gits who have been around and done all the nice jobs and are now firmly in mangement land.
Si
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: UK
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LAI
I would say to anyone considering joining to try it and see what you think. Si Clik is right that there is still lots of fun in many places.
My point was that after the first couple of years of fun there needs to be more sustainable retention measures - these are the things that have been erroded since the 90s. There are still some perks but the relationship has become very one way, on top of increased workloads.
As with many large organisations communication is appalling, which I believe is the root cause of many of our current woes. Filling the gap is the rumour mill - at full throttle.
It's definitely worth a go and if you do a few years you'll take a lot of skills with you and see several 'interesting' places. It's not as much fun 20+ years on when you just tend to sigh at the latest bright idea that has missed the spot.
Lots of people I know have noticed you can get less screwed around - and I don't mean doing the core job - for more money, better quality of life and with the ability to actually speak to employers who perhaps listen, outside and are going sooner rather than later. But as Si intimated, it's probably a 30-something thing and very good for promotion for the likes of yourself!
I would say to anyone considering joining to try it and see what you think. Si Clik is right that there is still lots of fun in many places.
My point was that after the first couple of years of fun there needs to be more sustainable retention measures - these are the things that have been erroded since the 90s. There are still some perks but the relationship has become very one way, on top of increased workloads.
As with many large organisations communication is appalling, which I believe is the root cause of many of our current woes. Filling the gap is the rumour mill - at full throttle.
It's definitely worth a go and if you do a few years you'll take a lot of skills with you and see several 'interesting' places. It's not as much fun 20+ years on when you just tend to sigh at the latest bright idea that has missed the spot.
Lots of people I know have noticed you can get less screwed around - and I don't mean doing the core job - for more money, better quality of life and with the ability to actually speak to employers who perhaps listen, outside and are going sooner rather than later. But as Si intimated, it's probably a 30-something thing and very good for promotion for the likes of yourself!
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: On top of a hill
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I'm sure I will have great fun, if I get there! This is always what I have wanted to do, so I won't be put off so easily.
At the end of the day, the airlines won't let you turn them upside-down!
LAI
At the end of the day, the airlines won't let you turn them upside-down!
LAI
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK Sometimes
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LAI
Yes, you will have a great time but please join with your eyes open. I can remember joining up and learning to fly Her Majesty's flying machines. Bl00dy great time! Also, I can remember not knowing (or caring) how much I was paid to 'see the world from upside down'. However, age changes you (along with partners and family) and so do your priorities. Today's Services are for 'singlies' and they don't greatly allow for family priorities. If you do eventually get hitched - you will have moral and monetary responsibilities too them which affect your decisions.
Furthermore, don't expect any loyalty from above. Most people above S/L level are only interested in one thing - THEMSELVES. So be prepared to be shafted and messed about something rotten. Always have a get out plan!
In the meantime, have a great time but always 'check six'! Good luck.
Yes, you will have a great time but please join with your eyes open. I can remember joining up and learning to fly Her Majesty's flying machines. Bl00dy great time! Also, I can remember not knowing (or caring) how much I was paid to 'see the world from upside down'. However, age changes you (along with partners and family) and so do your priorities. Today's Services are for 'singlies' and they don't greatly allow for family priorities. If you do eventually get hitched - you will have moral and monetary responsibilities too them which affect your decisions.
Furthermore, don't expect any loyalty from above. Most people above S/L level are only interested in one thing - THEMSELVES. So be prepared to be shafted and messed about something rotten. Always have a get out plan!
In the meantime, have a great time but always 'check six'! Good luck.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Sunny East Sussex
Age: 49
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Having decided to leave last year, I start my new job tomorrow. It is fair to say that the grass isn't always greener, but staying in is more dust/sand than grass these days.
I would do it all again in an instant, but I wouldn't stay in now for all the tea in china.
All the best to those deploying to Afghanistan - hope your IRT/IDT/CCS skills come in handy!!
I would do it all again in an instant, but I wouldn't stay in now for all the tea in china.
All the best to those deploying to Afghanistan - hope your IRT/IDT/CCS skills come in handy!!
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: UK
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Sadly folks I am sorry to say that I have to agree with most of the comments posted. I joined some 23 years ago and initially saw a decline from about 1987ish when the individual budgets became more apparent and the penny pinching started. Then there was the Bett report and all the other White papers (i.e. cutbacks). We had the redundancy schemes over-subscribed, mainly in the ground trades as it was dead-mans shoes for promotion (not that its changed any). Recently I have witnessed many of the best and most experienced aircrew in my particular "department" leave, morale is what I can only describle as an all time low. As more leave, from all trades it leaves less of us to do things such as Guard Duty and SDO etc. Serviceability rates are not great, and thats being generous, more hoops are being introduced to jumped through as we seem to be stats driven. Currency hoops for flying shouldn't be changed but have been, otherwise we would all be out of currency.
UNLESS THE POWERS TO BE, BOTH BLUE SUITED AND POLITICAL GET A GRIP THE SITUATION WILL IMPLODE.
The last thing anyone wants is for anyone to be killed due to lack of training/funding. The term acceptable risk seems to pop up more and more in the day to day running of things, tell that to a bereaved family. I am sure many people who come on here are in higher positions than me, so I want alarm bells to start going off. I could go on more but that would be too sensitive for on here.
Things will IMPLODE if things do not change. I still see myself as a loyal servant of HM Forces, even if loyalty is not a two way thing as I used to remember it.
I only place this blunt message because I care.
UNLESS THE POWERS TO BE, BOTH BLUE SUITED AND POLITICAL GET A GRIP THE SITUATION WILL IMPLODE.
The last thing anyone wants is for anyone to be killed due to lack of training/funding. The term acceptable risk seems to pop up more and more in the day to day running of things, tell that to a bereaved family. I am sure many people who come on here are in higher positions than me, so I want alarm bells to start going off. I could go on more but that would be too sensitive for on here.
Things will IMPLODE if things do not change. I still see myself as a loyal servant of HM Forces, even if loyalty is not a two way thing as I used to remember it.
I only place this blunt message because I care.
