Are the RAF desperate?

[larssnowpharter]

Badge, certificates? I didn't get anything like that when I left!

Pension is nice though and allows one to make choices that are not always available to everyone.

Manila? If you head down south to Davao I'll buy you a beer.

[AR1]

No badge for me either when I left (But i did sneak out my S6). But thanks for doing your duty from 'a civvy'.

[ZH875]

For some reason, I got two badges and certificate packs etc, different dates and signed by different people. Took JPA 3 months to stop sending me pay statements for £0.00.

[acmech1954]

Yes, I must admit that the pension has softened the blow a bit for 15 years already. After 21 years in and the way the RAF was changing for the worse ,the first redundancy in 93 was to much to resist, after all it could be jump before pushed.
At least I can remember Engineering Officers who would make decisions without worrying about their career path, and not being told the 'cost' of ever time you wanted something done or wanted to do. I can remember going to stores for aircraft spares and getting them without a new contract set up to get them manufactured !!!
In all those years I have never been unemployed,10 of those years in civil aviation ,and have justed started a new job as a civvie on a military contract, so I have first hand how much things have changed and not for the better.

[NutLoose]

I remember the period when they had to many Chief Technicians, so offered them the easy way out option...... those that could get work and were good at their jobs left and those that were left were for want of a better word.....

[Re-Heat]

I wouldn't worry - the civilian world is no more appreciative.

[pipl]

Ditto. Received my paperwork and blue peter badge last week, same sort of errors. 3 days till Mister.

[Rigga]

Maybe that is the way all loyal servants are treated nowadays? However, I am amazed at how much the RAF has changed in just 9 years since I left.

When I PVR'd -

I was allowed to keep all my uniform if I wanted to - Laarbruch was closing and the stacker didn't need to get rid of any more stuff - So I gave him all of it!

I sent the "Exit" Certificate back to Gen Office (as it was then known) to correct the spelling and get it signed by whoever was the Staish of the week.

I had to travel to wherever it was, near Gloucester, to hand in my 1250 (And as I gave notice as I started my new employment, I got the full commercial rate mileage, right across the country, from my company and then some more from the RAF)

Some big-wig of Air Rank (even bigger than a Groupie!) wanted to see me and asked why I'd PVR'd - so I let go with both barrels for my 15 minutes of non-fame.

I had no notice of any Reserve Time - Indeed, I felt so guilty I asked and was told "none" - good enough for me.

All-in-all a good day out.

(but - I didn't get a badge!)

[c17age]

Last working Day

Hello folks
Today was my last working day and true to form some SAC took my 1250 and that was it. Other than the boys from work saying so long, not a jot from my 2nd RO. Don't get me wrong, I expected nothing more nothing less as I had seen it before with the other guys who have left. Just relieved to have done the sand pit and got out scot free.
Happy to now have 4 months pay and not work for it. Then I too intend living as long as possible to squeeze as much out of HMG as i can.
Hope the grass is greener!!!
Stay safe to the guys left in.

[soddim]

I am not sure that what posters here expect on leaving the service is in, fact, reasonable. I served for 36 years and was quite happy to retire with no expectation of anything but the satisfaction of knowing that those years had been well spent.

Problem is that all those who serve are the RAF and after many years of service those you serve with are still serving - they are not your employers who might be suitably grateful but fellow employees, if you like, and all you should expect is the normal party with your mates to celebrate your departure from them.

We serve(d) not as servants of an employer or of a company owned by grateful shareholders but as servants of the nation. How do you expect the nation to express itself when you leave apart from paying your pension?

[Lord Elpus]

L1011GE,

Its a pathetic way to leave after all the years of service ( and pie munching) but its the same for everyone. I'm counting down the days till I go and cant wait.

I hope you managed to squeeze your 'Kate Moss' like figure through the gates on the way out!!!!

Enjoy the retirement fella and at least the rain is warm in Manila!!!

PS: Top leaving doo mate, er, er, what I remember of it!!!!!!!

[L1011GE]

Lord Elphus? is that an anagram for the loadie who ate all the pies?

[acmech1954]

I do not think you are totally right about civilian companies being the same, before leaving both employments, since leaving the RAF, I was told that they did not want to lose me and if it did not work out in my new job ,then there was a place for me if I wanted to return. Can you see the military offering that deal.

[goudie]

those that could get work and were good at their jobs left and those that were left were for want of a better word.....

When, as a Ch/Tech, I took advantage of a generous redundancy package in the '70's my boss bemoaned the fact that 'those with any get up and go, get up and go!.
Got a handshake and, 'best of luck' from Wg.Co. Admin. on my last day.
Enjoyed my time but good to start afresh in a new career whilst still relatively young.

[larssnowpharter]

I do not think you are totally right about civilian companies being the same

Some are; some ain't.

I was planning to retire for the third time last year. My current outfit (US owned) asked me to stay as 'a valued employee'.

I responded, 'Make it worth my while'.

Two days later a new contract with 1 yrs base salary as a bonus if completed.


But, as I said earlier, that pension hitting the account every month does give one a huge amount of flexibility.

[dogf2]

Having worked with L1011GE & C17AGE, I can say now that it is just a coincidence that after a number of years flying, they both leave the service slightly heavier than when they joined.

Good luck in the west C17AGE

Hope the east is living up to everything you wanted L1011GE

dogf2

[collindebe]

In 75 all i got on my last day going round getting my blue chittiy filled in was an order to get my hair cut before Squadron Ldr Kerr of Mt would sign it B.....D

[L1011GE]

you should have signed it yourself, after all with no time left how would he know?

[collindebe]

Yes i always wished i had because it was 4 months since my last hair cut ,so if any one out there knows the where abouts of SQD LDR Kerr he owes me 5 bob

[ZH875]

Originally Posted by collindebe

if any one out there knows the where abouts of SQD LDR Kerr

First name is obviously Wayne