Alberta_Canada wrote:Wow, this thread is a real eye opener for anyone considering becoming an AME. I was enrolled to be an AME at SAIT back in 2004 but after talking to several people I decided to go a different route instead and withdrew. Now, I'm a licensed automotive technician and I just find it crazy that it pays more to work at an auto dealership maintaining cars than it does working on aircraft. It just shouldn't be that way. I work 8-5 mon-fri and only 1 Saturday/month and to think that the only way I would make similar would be night shifts in a remote location and on call anytime is just crazy. I really hope things can change for you guys as many of you sure deserve a lot more.
Well its been quite a while since ive visited, and I see that not much has changed.
Ive been at this game since 1992 and the pay still sucks (well it did until I left aviation for a real job).
the problem is that company owners expect SO much from their employees - I finally had enough when my last aviation employer demanded OT due to a pilot induced hard landing (23 LONG days straight I hardly got compensated for).
I got into a non aviation QC/QA position and now I have weekends off and am no longer tied to my phone all for what I used to get paid half ($35/hr) for.
And now if OT is required, it is asked who would help out, and here is the benefit ____________ (fill in the blank).
Even in the private operator world where the owner of an aircraft complains about paying $100/ hr shop rate.
Im glad to say those days are behind me; my wife and kids now have an extra person to do things with, no more night shifts, no more demands on my free time, no more refusals for time off....