captloadie said:
Sparkplugs,
The job as a FA can be a joy and a curse at the same time. I was on Sqn for three years, under similar circumstances that you would be (fairly young child at home). You need to be prepared to be away alot for unpredictable periods of time. Things have probably gotten better, given Afghanistan is going away, but there are still all those last minute taskings. There was one period where I went on a last minute repat for 4 days, was home for 2 days, went out for 7 days on a scheduled flight, and was met at the top of the stairs upon arrival back in Trenton asking if I could go out again in a day for another 4-5 days due to another repat. It was tough on the homelife because of the lack of predictability.
But, it was also 3 of the best years of my career, and I saw places and met people that I'd never have had the opportunity to otherwise.
Thanks for the merge and the other topic info!
I've heard much of the same from the few people I know who've done it. The good thing is, my husband is on steady days over here, with only one short TD a year, so when I do need childcare, at least it'll only be for the time he's at work. I'm just having a hell of a time working at a squadron that doesn't go anywhere. I mean, you might get an MRP to Sudbury once in awhile, but there's not a whole lot beyond that. I don't want to do a full remuster, but I've been here for five years, the career manager won't post me (I've been asking, haha!) and I'd like to see some more of the world. When I was still at my last unit, (same geo location,) we travelled a lot more, and I signed up for Boxtop every time it came up, because it's great to get out and see things. I do like that the FA job involves travel, but not 6 or 9 months at a time. My son will still know who I am when I come home from these trips.
None of this is in stone yet, of course, I still have to do the interview, and I know this is a competitive little field, so it's not a given, but I am definitely looking for a bit of a change, without having to lose my AVN occupation. I love airplanes, I love fixing them, and I want to do a career of it, so this seems like a good compromise for now, if it all works out. And hey, can't complain about a little bit of flight pay on top of the spec, haha!
Thanks for the info.