RAF PVR and Redundancy

[Pontius Navigator]

which was one reason that it became the practice to escort employees off the premises and require them to serve their notice in absentia.

A practice that the RAF never adopted not realising the malignant influence that resulted.

When people applied for redundancy in the 70s they expected to be able to leave almost immediately. Many lined up jobs only to be given departure dated at least 18 months in the future and up to 3 years. If that was not enough to piss people off many aircrew were grounded so that they didn't steal flying hours from 'loyal ' aircrew who were not leaving.

The same 'punishment ' was metted out to pilots in later years ago had the temerity to PVR. They would be immediately posted often to Ops or Simulator jobs in roles or aircraft with which they were not familiar. Many became strict work to rule with the initiative switch wife locked OFF. They would turn up on time and stop work on time. All the time spreading resentment and discontent.

Did they RAF eventually learn? I know I left my last job having cleaned my computers.

[Ex-Ascot]

I was 1978 to 1994. I never knew any pilots who PVR'd to stay flying. So why pick on the aircrew? What do you do with a scribbly or blanket stacker as a punishment who PVRs? Bog cleaning duties? But they didn't.

In the voluntary redundancies late 80s (?) we had one of our top Flt Engs (MEng) made 'voluntary redundant'. He came to me, as his Flt Cdr at the time, and asked why he had been made redundant when he was a trainer and a B Cat. He had been moved from 101 to us because he had been shagging his Flt Cdr's wife. I suggested that this may be the reason. He married the lady, went to Hong Kong to fly for Air Hong Kong unaccompanied. He returned home with his Chinky mistress and his baby and said that they were going to live with them. Then couldn't understand his wife's reluctance. He used to come to our village pub. Mrs Ex-Ascot and I tried to explain it to him but he couldn't get to grips with the situation.

At the same time we had Nav (Flt Lt) who was made redundant. He decided come the Gulf War that he was allergic to rubber and couldn't wear a gas mask. He claimed that he was the fifth member of the Beatles and used to play cricket for England. There were a few other Walter Mitty claims I forget. He was single, in his 30s, lived in the OM. When he left nobody ever heard from him again.

[Pontius Navigator]

Ex-A, you missed the '73 series of redundacies. There was one pilot, possibly ex-Cranditz, very serious type but your typical passed over flt lt when, out of the blue, he was promoted to sqn ldr.

Now the redundacies were limited to volunteer junior officers on certain types such as transports with compulsory redundancies amongst senior officers. Our recently promoted sqn ldr had been promoted into the compulsory bracket.

Talk about kick in the teeth. He didn't deserve that.

[G-CPTN]

My first real employer had a 'last in first out' policy which was changed from 'company employment' to 'service in current post' - meaning that upwardly-mobile stars were at risk.

As it happened, I was head-hunted and volunteered.

[Pontius Navigator]

G CPTN, law of unintended consequences.

We had one where the rule 'under the age of 26' was changed to 'under 4 years in the rank'.

Suddenly 30 year old plus flying officers fell into the bracket (beneficial) whereas 26 year old flight lieutenants were excluded. This put a sudden stop to career progression for fast moving pilots and allowed slow moving flying officers more time for development.