Quarter of RAF trainee pilots to be sacked
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: St Annes
Age: 68
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Most of the ones on the RAF list will be young and well educated - they probably don't have families and mortgages
but the majority of RAF personnel being made redundant will not in fact be young RAF pilots.... I'd think a high proportion of those about to be sacrificed, thinking they were highly skilled specialists (that covers crew chiefs, Ops support, rear and front end crew) who were highly valued by the RAF, have significant financial commitments....and are now finding out that their "career", which appeared to be rock solid this time last year, actually has about 3 months to run.
There are people - and I'm not talking aircrew here, although my description probably describes a few - who have achieved a significant skill level, substantial rank, and who have all sorts to pay off, from car loans to mortgages to making sure the kidds finish Uni.... and they're going to get 3 months pay and the sort of kiss off that Michael Corleone gave Fredo.
This isn't about your local Halford's closing down, it's the Royal Air Force - and yes we should be treating the poor sods involved as a special case. Why? Because last time I looked the employees at Waitrose didn't sign a blank cheque that included being killed to further national policy.
Sorry, but I AM getting annoyed at people who insist on treating the armed forces personnel as if they're doing nothing more than that working at DVLA.
Dave
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the Doghouse
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wonder what a civilian recently made redundant feels about military redundancies ? Probably does not give a t*ss, whilst thinking " welcome to the real world ". My sincere condolences to all ranks / trades affected, but these are modern times, like it or not. Good luck to all .
Aynayda Pizaqvick......
'Stop thinking RAF Investor in People and start thinking MoD PLC.'
Completely agree with you. However there is a massive amount of hypocrisy from the RAF that spouts doctrine, that we must sacrifice and put the forces first, move around the country as directed and be LOYAL!
But, after spouting all this crap, we are just numbers. Which is fine, but please, no more bull**** from Air officers and APs such as ''RISE''
'Stop thinking RAF Investor in People and start thinking MoD PLC.'
Completely agree with you. However there is a massive amount of hypocrisy from the RAF that spouts doctrine, that we must sacrifice and put the forces first, move around the country as directed and be LOYAL!
But, after spouting all this crap, we are just numbers. Which is fine, but please, no more bull**** from Air officers and APs such as ''RISE''
davejb,
While I don't disagree with the general theme of your comment, I should point out that when you say..
"their "career", which appeared to be rock solid this time last year, actually has about 3 months to run..." you are in fact incorrect.
Nobody with an established career wil be leaving the RAF before Mar 2012 (volunteer) or Sep 2012 (compulsary). While it is less than ideal, volunteers will get 6 months to sort their life out upon notification, and those made compulsary redundant (will there be enough volunteers?) will get 12 months.
Maybe not brilliant, but not too shabby either.
Those chopped from flying training as a result of the SDSR willnot be as fortunate I suspect!
While I don't disagree with the general theme of your comment, I should point out that when you say..
"their "career", which appeared to be rock solid this time last year, actually has about 3 months to run..." you are in fact incorrect.
Nobody with an established career wil be leaving the RAF before Mar 2012 (volunteer) or Sep 2012 (compulsary). While it is less than ideal, volunteers will get 6 months to sort their life out upon notification, and those made compulsary redundant (will there be enough volunteers?) will get 12 months.
Maybe not brilliant, but not too shabby either.
Those chopped from flying training as a result of the SDSR willnot be as fortunate I suspect!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: France 46
Age: 77
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sled dog
Your "Civilian" will almost certainly never have had to arrive home on a December evening and tell his pregnant wife that he is "off tomorrow" to the other side of the World to intervene in a dispute about "Land Rights" and he doesn't know when he will be back.
Most "Civilians" do not live in a world of imperatives or where the telephone rings at 2 AM and you have to go to work immediately and you have no idea when you will be home again.
HM Forces do not have "Trade Unions" - what has been present in the past is a sense of being valued.
The Military Covenant may not be quite dead - but it certainly needs some Resuscitation and TLC.
Your "Civilian" will almost certainly never have had to arrive home on a December evening and tell his pregnant wife that he is "off tomorrow" to the other side of the World to intervene in a dispute about "Land Rights" and he doesn't know when he will be back.
Most "Civilians" do not live in a world of imperatives or where the telephone rings at 2 AM and you have to go to work immediately and you have no idea when you will be home again.
HM Forces do not have "Trade Unions" - what has been present in the past is a sense of being valued.
The Military Covenant may not be quite dead - but it certainly needs some Resuscitation and TLC.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: in my combat underpants
Age: 53
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Biggus - are you unaware of all those on continuance who were given 6 months notice last year? They got rid of a lot of people on short time in a less-than-fair way.
Hang on, Mr C, ...in a less than fair way...".
They were on contracts, that were employing them after the time that they would normally have been discharged, which allowed them to say to the RAF, "I'm off" and be out in 3 months. Yet the other way round (in accordance with the same agreements that they had freely signed up to), they got 6 months notice.
I know it's a general feel sorry for ourselves moment, but how was that not 'fair'?
They were on contracts, that were employing them after the time that they would normally have been discharged, which allowed them to say to the RAF, "I'm off" and be out in 3 months. Yet the other way round (in accordance with the same agreements that they had freely signed up to), they got 6 months notice.
I know it's a general feel sorry for ourselves moment, but how was that not 'fair'?
Mr C H...
What RLE said...
6 months notice was what their "contract" said, and that is what they got, unexpected perhaps, but not "unfair" as it was part of the terms and conditions of the continuance in the first place...
You might also be surprised to learn all that I am "aware" of...
What RLE said...
6 months notice was what their "contract" said, and that is what they got, unexpected perhaps, but not "unfair" as it was part of the terms and conditions of the continuance in the first place...
You might also be surprised to learn all that I am "aware" of...
catazou
While 110% in agreement that us civilians are not (intentionally) normally put in harms way, and in agreement that the Military Covenant needs to be revitalised before the ungrateful oiks in society forget about the valiant work of the Armed forces........
True in the literal sense but we too get posted to far flung locations to work for weeks on end with little choice if we want to keep our jobs. Its also a lot more common for the international sales person to have this done more often to them than the average member of the armed forces. Think 9 months of the year travelling - every year - not just when there is a flap on. Debatable certainly, but lets not pretend that the military are the only people to have this done to them.
"Most" you are correct but then I suggest that 'most' military don't have this done to them either. As many of the boys on the MOD are about to find out, the reasons and the risk may be materially different, but I think you will find its a lot more common in the civilian sector than you might believe. I regularly get 4am calls from dozy customers who forget about time zones.
Its not as black and white as you may believe. The risk is undoubtedly different, but its not as if the Armed Forces are the only people who operate 24/7.
While 110% in agreement that us civilians are not (intentionally) normally put in harms way, and in agreement that the Military Covenant needs to be revitalised before the ungrateful oiks in society forget about the valiant work of the Armed forces........
Your "Civilian" will almost certainly never have had to arrive home on a December evening and tell his pregnant wife that he is "off tomorrow" to the other side of the World to intervene in a dispute about "Land Rights" and he doesn't know when he will be back.
Most "Civilians" do not live in a world of imperatives or where the telephone rings at 2 AM and you have to go to work immediately and you have no idea when you will be home again.
Its not as black and white as you may believe. The risk is undoubtedly different, but its not as if the Armed Forces are the only people who operate 24/7.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the Doghouse
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GrahamO
Well said, i have had experience of these scenarios both as a Serviceman and Civilian, many times. Still feel sorry for the people losing their careers though.
Well said, i have had experience of these scenarios both as a Serviceman and Civilian, many times. Still feel sorry for the people losing their careers though.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Racedo blows goats
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have also worked both sides of the fence and been sent halfway around the world on open ended jobs. I also get phone calls at odd hours due to time zone issues. However, the hotel I was staying in was not made of canvas and the local population were not lobbing mortars at me.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: France 46
Age: 77
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Graham O
"Think 9 months of the year travelling - every year"
That is what I did 11 months a year for the 14 years I was on 32 Sqn - I never did manage to get my Leave Quota in.
"Think 9 months of the year travelling - every year"
That is what I did 11 months a year for the 14 years I was on 32 Sqn - I never did manage to get my Leave Quota in.
Registered User **
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Botswana & Greece
Age: 68
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Nomans holdingland
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jet2.com helping former RAF fliers to work on civilian aircraft
I'm not sure if these are trainees though.
I'm not sure if these are trainees though.
Expanding budget airline Jet2.com has pledged to help redundant RAF fliers find work in the commercial sector.
The Yeadon-based company is looking to increase its pilot numbers by 17 per cent this year to more than 350 by taking on 140 extra fliers as part of a major expansion programme.
The Yeadon-based company is looking to increase its pilot numbers by 17 per cent this year to more than 350 by taking on 140 extra fliers as part of a major expansion programme.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: in constant chaos
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quite right LFFC - visiting for a day
Bandoe and pba_target - JB is still in a blue suit (for now) flying a desk at a secret location near Bath. He is still in the air but only when I let him on weekends with the AEF! Mrs JB
Bandoe and pba_target - JB is still in a blue suit (for now) flying a desk at a secret location near Bath. He is still in the air but only when I let him on weekends with the AEF!
Mrs JB