RAF or Not: Grass Check?
Join Date: Feb 2006
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capt k.
8 years in, 9 years out, leaving the 2nd best thing i've ever done. the best thing was of course joining! regrets, i've had a few, in truth to few to mention.
agree with all that's been said so far, my own summary
1. better house
2. better car
3. better quality time with the wife
4. better quality time when not with the wife!
5. better current account balance
6. better holidays getting there in better seats
7. nobody shoots at you. (they try to blow you up right enough!)
on the downside
1. no crewroom banter
2. very little work satisfaction when compared to now.
3. responsibilty and talent will not equal respect and ability to improve the operation.
4. if you think the ability level at your sqn is varied, you've seen nothing! depending where you go standby to be amazed.
5. they will not honour whatever promises they make, you will spend the next 20 years having to fight to protect the t&c's you sign on the line for whilst some clown offers to do your job for free
6. enjoy your last gorrilla, dact, affil, acmi..... nothing will ever compare.
i'm at BA and often thank my lucky stars that i left when i did. nothing will ever compare with fj flying in civvy world but there is nothing to compare with my lifestyle now in the mob. golfing with the boys in j'burg and chewing the sh*t down route keep you remembering all that you enjoyed and made you proud. taking better care and spending time at home with your nearest and dearest will make you happy you left.
best of luck.
ps i'm at BA but would recommend virgin as the place to go if it's long haul your looking for.
8 years in, 9 years out, leaving the 2nd best thing i've ever done. the best thing was of course joining! regrets, i've had a few, in truth to few to mention.
agree with all that's been said so far, my own summary
1. better house
2. better car
3. better quality time with the wife
4. better quality time when not with the wife!
5. better current account balance
6. better holidays getting there in better seats
7. nobody shoots at you. (they try to blow you up right enough!)
on the downside
1. no crewroom banter
2. very little work satisfaction when compared to now.
3. responsibilty and talent will not equal respect and ability to improve the operation.
4. if you think the ability level at your sqn is varied, you've seen nothing! depending where you go standby to be amazed.
5. they will not honour whatever promises they make, you will spend the next 20 years having to fight to protect the t&c's you sign on the line for whilst some clown offers to do your job for free
6. enjoy your last gorrilla, dact, affil, acmi..... nothing will ever compare.
i'm at BA and often thank my lucky stars that i left when i did. nothing will ever compare with fj flying in civvy world but there is nothing to compare with my lifestyle now in the mob. golfing with the boys in j'burg and chewing the sh*t down route keep you remembering all that you enjoyed and made you proud. taking better care and spending time at home with your nearest and dearest will make you happy you left.
best of luck.
ps i'm at BA but would recommend virgin as the place to go if it's long haul your looking for.
Last edited by the heavy heavy; 8th Jun 2007 at 23:25.
Join Date: Jan 2005
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"BA pension for new joiners has recently had massive improvement (and God knows it needed it) thanks to the work of the BALPA negotiating team."
Hi what are the new pension terms for BA?
The info I looked at recently seemed to give you a pension of 10k a year after 20 years service, which looked terrrible.
I am thinking of leaving the RAF soonish and the lack of final salary pension terms of UK companies is making me look elsewhere in Europe.
Any info would be great thanks.
Hi what are the new pension terms for BA?
The info I looked at recently seemed to give you a pension of 10k a year after 20 years service, which looked terrrible.
I am thinking of leaving the RAF soonish and the lack of final salary pension terms of UK companies is making me look elsewhere in Europe.
Any info would be great thanks.
Join Date: Jan 2005
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.........the lack of final salary pension terms of UK companies is making me look elsewhere in Europe............
What do you think, why lots of European are flying in UK?? I.e. EZY?
Which company do you have in mind, in Europe?
What do you think, why lots of European are flying in UK?? I.e. EZY?
Which company do you have in mind, in Europe?
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Sunny East Sussex
Age: 49
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12 yrs in - 1 yr out.
The question I asked myself when looking for jobs was " Do I want to be working for this company in 20 yrs time?".
Only 2 companies were a yes for me , BA and Virgin.
BA pays more and has a better pension(just). Virgin pilots work 750 hrs a year, whereas BA will be @800-850. Command time will be about the same in both.
I chose BA, where I fly 5 times a month, 3/4 days at a time, and it is fairly easy to get the day you want off. The rostering system at BA is called bidline, and gives you a lot of control of your life.
Nearly all the pilots I fly with are of similar character to those I flew with in the RAF, and I am enjoying life on the outside.
The question I asked myself when looking for jobs was " Do I want to be working for this company in 20 yrs time?".
Only 2 companies were a yes for me , BA and Virgin.
BA pays more and has a better pension(just). Virgin pilots work 750 hrs a year, whereas BA will be @800-850. Command time will be about the same in both.
I chose BA, where I fly 5 times a month, 3/4 days at a time, and it is fairly easy to get the day you want off. The rostering system at BA is called bidline, and gives you a lot of control of your life.
Nearly all the pilots I fly with are of similar character to those I flew with in the RAF, and I am enjoying life on the outside.
I think he's finding it a bit harder to pick the good trips these days
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Hampshire physically; Perthshire and Pembrokeshire mentally.
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Box-four of Harriers over my plot of earth this morning, accompanied by a whipper-in. Appeared four times doing a race-track. Obviously a fly-past somewhere. Ahhhh, memories.
Join Date: Feb 2001
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CK, I was in for 18 and have been out for 16. Enjoyed my time flying C130 doing all sorts of crazy stuff but am now more than happy in the left seat of a 757 drinking coffee served by fragrant cabin crew - most of them female!! Depends what you want - only you can make the decision. I don't think you'll find many regretting the decision to take the plunge - the commercial world is tough, you have to work hard for what you want but it's worth it in the end. It's still a very challenging and rewarding occupation (despite the green-eyed critics) and I wholeheartedly recommend it. The ball's in your court..... (I didn't fly fighters but admire the people that did... hope my comments are valid nevertheless. Good luck for the future).
Last edited by Smudger; 13th Jun 2007 at 16:20.
"fragrant cabin crew"
I must be on the wrong fleet
I must be on the wrong fleet
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Join Date: Oct 1999
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Thank You
Gentlemen,
I am truly humbled that so many of you have taken the time to write such comprehensive responses and am indebted to you for your assistance.
It is not lost upon me that all of the replies are articulate and balanced (and hence, credible) and that you have found the time to post which, broadly at least, must indicate the tempo of your lifestyles - though I would not wish to be dismissive of busy people making considerable effort.
Overall, I have found the advice herein to be exceptionally valuable and I have drawn comfort from a sanity check of my own conclusion. I look forward to working with you!
I am truly humbled that so many of you have taken the time to write such comprehensive responses and am indebted to you for your assistance.
It is not lost upon me that all of the replies are articulate and balanced (and hence, credible) and that you have found the time to post which, broadly at least, must indicate the tempo of your lifestyles - though I would not wish to be dismissive of busy people making considerable effort.
Overall, I have found the advice herein to be exceptionally valuable and I have drawn comfort from a sanity check of my own conclusion. I look forward to working with you!
Join Date: May 2007
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RAF or not -Grass check
As one from the Grey Funnel Line,I was in the Best Flying Club in the World.However,when I left before the Falklands,Jobs faded away.There was still an Aviation Industry,and a 125 was all I could get.That was a magic piece of luck as it got me an early Command,including P1 across the Pond,signed off by the Deputy CTP.I only got into a proper Airline with that experience.After that I did both Pax and Freighting,and preferred the Freighting to be honest.Things have now changed,and the FTLs are extremely important to keep you sane,and in the proper sleep cycle.Final Salary Pensions are on the way out,and the Money Purchase Schemes are nowhere near as good;BUT how anyone can operate with the Kit you have now,under the Blair Presidentsy,with so few flying hours,I really dont know.You have to get out,and try Virgin or BA,where your ability will count.Easyjet I am told is the best of the rest,and loads of friends of mine are very happy there,with several in Top training positions.Freighting now is a No no .Look at the DHL doom and gloom reports on Prune.The others are no longer run by Brits,which is a great pity.There WAS a dream of a job,which no longer exists,that made Freighting the cream of the crop-good pay,good training,good equipment,Excellent guys who were in the main from Dark and Light Blue running it,50 different destinations in a year,Cap 371 FTls,good Sim,good leave and time off,and Final Salary Pension Scheme.Bloody marvellous,but sadly no longer the same and is now based down the road from DHL.It was the nearest you could get to a Crewroom of old.I recognise JW411 as being one of the good guys!!!!!BUT,you will need to watch your six-there are spies in the sky!!The World of Airline Flying has changed,but still has to be better than still shovelling **** in the Service,with little or no support.You will find that the secondary effect of Aids will be rife-Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome.So Beware,and good luck.
