Woot! PVR'd!

[Bucc Boy]

If I can add to the offshore thing...

I've never worked offshore but used to work away alot and was home most weekends. However the then potential Mrs Shugster got fed up with being alone all the time and eventually buggered off.

There's a good reason why jobs like these pay lots of Money and it's because of the stress they can create at home and the years they can take off your your life expectancy, (When I worked in the US I had tons of money but no time to enjoy it. 70 hour weeks ain't fun). So choose wisely.

Knowing what I know today... If you're single then work your rear end off for a few years and you can aquire a fair amount of cash. If you're married then pick a job that either means being home every night or only being way for a week every now and then.

I've learned the hard way that money isn't everything.

Absolutely top post Shugster!!

Unfortunately nobody will listen and the same mistakes will be made by those who think they can have the well paid job away from home and a happy home life.

Then in 5 years time it will be them posting on e-goat hoping that people might learn from their experience.

 

[DrunkenMonki]

I've done 10 at the moment, and yes I do know that waiting until 12 would have gotten me some cash.

Theres a few personal reasons in there too, I'm not going into them on here though. Suffice to say that once i'm out I will be happy as larry.

On the plus side, my wife earns well, I worked out that I only need 400 notes a month for us to maintain our current lifestyle. Mr Brown would give me that for sitting on my ar$e!

I've considered Power stations as there is one new one near me nearly finished, and a new one planned not far away. Trains i've considered as my neighbour, an ex RE chap, is a driver, over some beers hes got me interested, more on the spannering side than driving though.

Other stuff is out there too, i'm a fairy, so aviation is an obvious one. But i'm a bit bored of planes. But never say never!

I'm off to a careers fair in Stafford on 8th April, I should get some better info and ideas on what I want to do then. But keep the flow of info coming in!

 

[Stroppyjock]

Trains for me, done 18 months on the platform/booking office, now on the admin side earning what I was as a Sgt Flight Ops, no detachments, ccs fitness tests, work 7 on 5 off, 7 on 2 off shift and free travel on the trains for me my partner and daughter. As for offshore, my other half and two friends all work in the industry and all three companies are going through pay-offs. If you can get in as driver go for it! Best of luck.

 

[Stevienics]

PVR'ing. there is never a good time, and you really just have to take the step and make the best of it - no parachutes and no insurance policies.

I rationalised it like this.

When I am lying on my pit in my dotage contemplating the stucco and waiting for the next bag change, I really don't want to regret not have the balls to try absolutely everything - for better or worse (with the exception, as O.Wilde pointed out, of incest and Morris Dancing) . There are no second chances and you won't die from it.

Having said that, It destroyed my relationship as well when I went to KSA soon afterwards.

 

[Jim_P_Pulfrew]

I would strongly advise not to make any firm decisions regarding rail until after the election. I am in a company that is a major supplier to the industry and all the whispers from the likes of Invensys etc., are that there will either be full buy in of the planned huge infrastructure programmes with possibly more added, or the purse strings will be pulled so tight there will be a standstill for up to five years.

Thats not to say it won't be a good industry to be in, just everything is a bit fluid at the moment. Given your timescales a much clearer picture should appear around the three month before you leave window. Watch that space as they say!

Jimps

 

[Rambling Sid]

Good luck in your career choice and enjoy those final months in the RAF. Try and keep your feet dry, I spent some time on trawlers. It was 12 days out and 2 days in, money wasn't even that good, but you only had 2 days to spend it in. Luckily I was single at the time but its no life for a married man.

 

[Soon To Leave]

Well done. You're one of those who actually got off his ar5e and did it instead of moaning about how bad it is but never having the nuts to leave.

Just don't apply too early for jobs as you'll probably be disappointed, I would start applying at the 3 months or less point.

Good luck.
DT_Xtremez_26:

In the current climate I'm quite sure they would let you leave early on production of a firm job offer, so it's never to early to start.

Good luck! DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[DrunkenMonki]

They changed the PVR time from 1 year to 6 months after I hit the Big Red Button, but i've been told a gen app to get out early would be unlikely to be refused.

I'm waiting until after the Stafford Job Fair in april. That way I can spend a whole day hastling different companies and see what is what, then i'll start applying. If I hit gold i'll try the gen app.

Rail: Yeah any sector at the mo is insecure with an election coming up, so i'm watching them all. If all else fails i'll just go back to university again and do something for a few years and see where the wind blows me. Done with stressing about stuff, one of the reasons i'm leaving!

 

[MontyPlumbs]

I would strongly advise not to make any firm decisions regarding rail until after the election. I am in a company that is a major supplier to the industry and all the whispers from the likes of Invensys etc., are that there will either be full buy in of the planned huge infrastructure programmes with possibly more added, or the purse strings will be pulled so tight there will be a standstill for up to five years.

Thats not to say it won't be a good industry to be in, just everything is a bit fluid at the moment. Given your timescales a much clearer picture should appear around the three month before you leave window. Watch that space as they say!

Jimps

Depending on the company mate! Not all of us make stuff exclusively for Network Rail! DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[Da Bomb]

I done 15 years as TG11, PVR'd got work with a Telecomms company doing satellite stuff, on rigs and ships offshore and internationally, money was good, but the buggeration factor was on par with service life.

Eventually told them to stick it, and now work for the Police as a Technical Support Officer doing Technical Forensics, which is just a great job.

Eight years on and i definitely dont miss the RAF! i still keep contact with friends, and i raise money for Help for Heroes through my work and bump into ex-service types regularly.

I was proud to serve at the time, and i am still pro RAF now, its just getting the balance right, i think if you leave for the wrong reasons, you will always regret it, make sure the time is right for you.

 

[3wheeledtechie]

I left just over a year and a half ago, and don't regret it for a second. Half my mates who were in are now out, and those who are still in, think it changed for the worse. Which is backed up by what i read on here.
I work overseas, and its great to be earning in euros, but although I do far better than in the RAF, I definitely earn my money. Buggeration factor is on par with the RAF, but weekends are my own, and the bonus is I'm in the south of France, so both skiing and beaches are easily possible in a day trip.

 

[icarus]

'Eight years on and i definitely dont miss the RAF! i still keep contact with friends, and i raise money for Help for Heroes [/B]through my work and bump into ex-service types regularly.

I was proud to serve at the time, and i am still pro RAF now, its just getting the balance right, i think if you leave for the wrong reasons, you will always regret it, make sure the time is right for you'.


Spot on Da Bomb, keep up the good work.

 

[pie sandwich]

Best bit of advice I can give is when you do come out, find a job that means you are in a day to day contact with a military environment.

Because THAT is your resettlement, you still get to talk the talk but are eased into civvy street. I know mate I have been there, and it makes life easier.

Think of it as weaning yourself off the RAF.
I worked for the MOD at Middlewallop for 8 months as a connie, not the best job and deffo not the best paid, but working with civil servants who were ex REME and with the REME helped make that move, and then I went onto a IT job earning more than my SNECS.

Big thing to remember, when you do your CV put down the fact you have SC clearance That WILL help get you a job, Hell it got me mine, I dont have any IT Quals but was a engineer with SC clearance, that got me my job.

I am a bit drunk so I can waffle all night about this sort of rubbish DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[XVR RA RA RA]

Now then, trains or Powerstations, thats the next question!

I love the avatar for somebody who wants to work in a powerstation . Lol DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[zipfish]

The oil industry isn't all just 12 hour days offshore in the North Sea you know.

I work my hitches in various countries doing maintenance for an oil company. Hardly go offshore at all, live in an apartment or hotel during my stay overseas, working normal hours etc and then go home for plenty of time off. I have a good life I would say.

Also people say money isn't important but it is to some people including me. I didn't really have anything when I came out of the RAF 2 years ago but am now earning much more and saving loads.

Don't shrug it off without at least considering the different jobs.

 

[Tashy_Man]

The oil industry isn't all just 12 hour days offshore in the North Sea you know.

I work my hitches in various countries doing maintenance for an oil company. Hardly go offshore at all, live in an apartment or hotel during my stay overseas, working normal hours etc and then go home for plenty of time off. I have a good life I would say.

Also people say money isn't important but it is to some people including me. I didn't really have anything when I came out of the RAF 2 years ago but am now earning much more and saving loads.

Don't shrug it off without at least considering the different jobs.

Well said........If I had said that I would be shot down in flames.

I actually enjoy the "offshore" part as it is hard work with no drinking....sort of an enforced gym routine.....most of the guys I work with also frequent the gym on a daily basis....I choose not to !

Before the leaving the RAF we had nothing really .....now we have a house (ok Mortgaged) but everything else in the house and the car is paid for ....and several nice healthy bank accounts (current, savings, ISA's etc).

Crack on.....................DT_Xtremez_09:

 

[Shugster]

The oil industry isn't all just 12 hour days offshore in the North Sea you know.

I work my hitches in various countries doing maintenance for an oil company. Hardly go offshore at all, live in an apartment or hotel during my stay overseas, working normal hours etc and then go home for plenty of time off. I have a good life I would say.

Also people say money isn't important but it is to some people including me. I didn't really have anything when I came out of the RAF 2 years ago but am now earning much more and saving loads.

Don't shrug it off without at least considering the different jobs.

Yep, I calculated what I had earned in 10 years and what I had to show for it... A TV, video, big stereo and a car... (that wasn't paid for!).

As I said, for a singly it can be great and can build a nice wedge of cash for a house or whatever your plans are.

But, being in a hotel is nice at first when you remember RAF transit accommodation but being on your own every night isn't fun and sends you, (or me at least), to the bar every night. Also eating in a restaraunt every night becomes tedious and never seeing your own bed and creature comforts eventually grinds you down.

You get home and the missus says, "Lets go to a restaraunt", but as you've had steaks all week you just want to stay in and relax a bit.

For singlies just out it's a good life, for those who have families etc it's maybe not the best choice. Of course there are bills to pay so if the immediate options weren't there I would do it again.

 

[Rigga]

You said:
"I'm waiting until after the Stafford Job Fair in april. That way I can spend a whole day hastling different companies and see what is what, then i'll start applying"

Why wait until then? - you already have an exit date or a period during which you can start 'training'. Write to those companies you are interested in and arrange to meet them.

Some companies might offer a "golden handshake" to a suitable candidate, on entry to them after a period of on-site training - this may start as soon as you walk out the gates.

I busied myself applying for jobs and going to interviews (and getting good at them) in the 7 months before I left. I actually started work the Monday after I handed my uniform in. Three Months later I officially left the RAF.

The only person who needs to know about your 'training' benefit is the Taxman (and someone said "he doesnt really need to know" - but mine was told anyway, cos the wife is one).

If you get your timing right the company will appreciate your flexible attitude to work and reward you accordingly (by prior agreement of course). They would be duty bound to recognise your commitments to service needs during that time - e.g. other resettlement and clearance dates.

Of course, you could just do the house up or other things like a world cruise - It's just that I'm not like that.

I made the whole resettlement time work and I made it a real benefit - to me.

Enjoy your time and I wish you success in whatever you do.

Rigga