Wannabe ALM

[Trollied Dolly]

I've been provisionally offered ALM pending medical and fitness. I can't help feeling that I haven't been given the full story so I figured the people here are more likely to be honest with me.

As a bird am I destined for a life as a Trolly Dolly or will I actually get anywhere near helicopters, which is what I really want to work on?

At AFCO and OASC they have a great way of answering my questions with, "Well, I don't see why not", with the sort of smile that suggests they're hiding something.

I know a lot of what will happen to me will depend on me and how I fare in training but I don't want the fact that i'm a bird to predetermine my career. I'll be going to training determined to give it my best shot either way but any info would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Pub User]

There are plenty of female ALMs on helicopters these days. Work hard, do well, and get your pick of the postings.

Best of luck.

[MVE]

I agree with pub user,. . It's down to how hard you work but it also depends on which environment your instructors think your best suited to, rather than where you would prefer to go. The fact that you are a bird will have very little to do with your posting.. .A word of advice, make sure you do a lot a physical prep. 'cos the Airmen Aircrew course is about as hard physically as they get! and the better shape you are in physically means more energy to spend on your studies.. .Are you aware that on Choppers you will spend the majority of your time in the field in a tent? That is unless you were refering to SAR, in which case you will have to do at least one tour 'in the field' before they will consider you for SAR.. .Still if that's what floats your boat!

Best of luck.. .Regards Rodders <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[MG]

I think its a bit misleading to say that you WILL spend most of your time in a tent on helicopters. Sure, the accom will rarely be 5 star, but these days a lot of time is spent on board boats, which brings out opinions from both sides. At least the boat has proper showers and beds. Living in a tent can also be quite comfortable if you put your mind to it and decide that you are going to make it your home and not your prison. Given the choice, I and most of the sane world will go for a 5 star any time. And yes, we do it occasionally on rotary, like any other group of people who deploy a lot.. .By the way, is it my computer, or has Pprune started catering for the terminally myopic?!

[ 18 February 2002: Message edited by: MG ]</p>

[Dr Schlong]

Try going to the top menu, select view and adjust the text size. Hope it helps - if all else fails try a magnifying glass! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[ttthompson]

Not sure if there is anything to stop you, but there are no Lassie winchies at present.

However, there are plenty of Old Women.

[Up Very Gently]

Hey Trollied,

Irrespective of sex (or sexuality in some cases!) you will be eligible for employment on all aircraft with Loadies aboard, even SAR. However, you have to be suited to the job, and in the case of SAR, pass selection.

As has been said, you do have to be fit, for AAITC, and also if you want to go Rotary. No disrespect to the Fixed wing boys and girls, (standing by for abuse), being a Crewman, especially on Wokka's, is probably more physically demanding. However, Birds have done it, and very well in most cases.

More importantly, you have to be able to give and take banter with the best of 'em. Good luck at AATS.

Gabe

[m2mob]

Hi,. .Just a quick note to endorse much of what has already been 'said'. You will only get the aircraft that you want, if, you work hard, play hard and EARN the right to choose (availability of posts permitting). As for rotory boys and girls needing to be fitter than fixed wing.... - I've worked with MAOTS so that can't be right. That said done both sides of the coin both have advantages and disadvantages - you pays yer money etc. At the end of the basic ALM phase you will go on Station visits to help you make your choice (available posts permitting - again). .Good luck with it and maybe see you around. <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">

Barrier broken - load moving - load gone!

[Shouting Rad-Alt]

Gabe,. .who are you giving advice? You were siding with Flaps on another thread!!

Anyway

If you have any doubts about what you want to do, or just want to get a broader perspective, speak to the CIO and arrange a visit to the various stations. See how it really is!

[widge]

Shouting Rad Alt,

I would say sod the CIO. Being AE, and not ALM, I know for a fact that the people who work in the CIO know very little about AA, other than what they read in the small pamphlets.

My advice, phone the Sqds direct, and ask to speak to front line operators new and old to gauge what its really like. After that if your still keen go for it in a big way. Job satisfaction is out there, but you have to work hard and look even harder for it!

Edited to remove correct spelling at sauce

[Mr C Hinecap]

Dolly - there is a VERY capable lady ALM on the Wokka fleet - our paths crossed a few yrs ago - she is good and can do the job - therefore, she does the job.

[6nandneutral]

TD. .Have a read of Always_Broken_In_Wilts comments on the Where to next........ topic.

[spicycoke]

No reason why you cant come to the rotary world. Best bit of advice given by some is to ring the operators they are more than happy to help with visits and other top tips. As for SAR if you display all the right stuff it is possible to go direct from Shawbury to SAR selection, 2 mates have done this in the past 18 months, 1 is now on a SAR flight the other is doing v well at the seaking conversion. Good luck the hard work is worth it.