Techies dont make up time off excuses!

[MrMasher]

Why is it that so many trades have a weekly day/afternoon off and yet us poor underpaid, overworked techies work our nuts off all the time?
Can you imagine telling their lordships that they cant fly this afternoon because we all have to do some trade training? Wouldnt instill much confidence would it? You'd have thought that techies would come fully trained (although to be honest some of us dont seem to be!)

For example:
Med centre have an afternoon "trade training" each week. They are understaffed as it is at our place so surely this doesnt help?

PSF have the trade training afternoon as well. Funny how I rang them one afternoon to hear that they had gone to do some team bonding on a low ropes course!

POL (civvies) dont allow us in until after 10am, no matter how urgent, when they have finished going through some daily crap they do.


Anyone else have some outstanding examples like these or just need to vent some spleen?

[Statty Queen]

And quite rightly PSF should get a day off/training day, the poor dabs work sooooooooo hard. Yeah right. The PSF at my camp is only open in the mornings, and then it's from 0900 until lunchtime. Overworked my arse

[mild mannered janitor]

here at sunny marham psf have THREE full afternoons per wk when they are unavailable !!!
::/:
id love to see if my chief would go for that idea ? :PDT_Xtremez_30:

[TrenchardsLoveSock]

CLOTHING STORES::/: ::/:

Fcucking "Tailors Parade", cnuts. After years of not being able to change kit because Clothing Stores is closed while the tailor is in, I actually found myself needing the tailor.

Imagine my surprise when I went in see that the tailor was allocated about 6 foot of a fcuking HUGE counter while all the stackers loafed at the other end drinking tea and discussing last nights' telly. Idle wankers

Don't get me started on "Closed for stock taking". All the paperwork generated to change a shirt, never got anything on the shelves and they still shut up shop before lunch on Friday to count stuff.

Actually, why not count fcuking shirts when the tailor is in instead of sitting on your ar$es.:PDT_Xtremez_32: ::/: :PDT_Xtremez_25:

[True Blue Jack]

The sweeping generalisations made in some of the posts on this thread are a little unfair, to say the least.

I have worked in PSF at 6 very different units. At none of those units did we have regular afternoons off, although at some we would close the doors to customers once a month so we could do all the management checks on pay, personal details, rations accounting (yes, before JPA that was a PSF function), and so on. Most non-adminers never understood that there was a hell of a lot involved in running a PD point which was difficult to manage when I had a steady stream of customers who would come to the office at their convenience, not mine. What none of those customers saw was how many Sundays I spent in the office playing catch-up.

On the other hand, at Waddo we would sit in PSF on a Friday afternoon beavering away while watching the mass exodus out of the main gate which started at 11 and tailed off at about 2 o'clock. At Boscombe Down, if I wanted to speak to any of the techies on the SAOEU (as it was then) I would phone the crewroom because 9 times out of 10 that is where they would be, no matter what the time of day.

It just depends where you are, and (sometimes) who your boss is.

[Lean "Lean" we are nearly]

To be fair PSF need time off for trade training because they couldn't possible stay open and let me watch them "LOSE my Environmental/Exchange/Gen apps to many to count" Don't get me started on the BASrtard Med Center.

Makes me laugh on the Shiney new corporate website it states "Most people in the RAF work the same kind of hours as people do in other jobs – a normal five-day week, leaving weekends and evenings free.

That said, we are not nine-to-fivers: we do what’s needed to get the job done. Sometimes, you’ll have to work late or at weekends, but you will be given the equivalent time off"

Any advice on how I can claim my extra days off then. I reckon as I work a minimum 50hr week I'm "owed" a day and a half a week say an average 45week year its a claim for 67 days leave or recompense at £81.03 is a nice £5429.01 or if you want to hate PSF any more I reckon.

CPL PSFformshredder eating his lunch at his desk cos he has used is Hour in the gym (an hour is three days worth of lunch on the line here). earns £13.6024 per hour (low band level seven Cpl working a 37.5 hr week (ignoring the fact the smally Tawt would be a snco by then)

But my Level 7 top band pay is £11.3442 per hour.

Yes I do know where the main gate is..... because I don't think I can take the joke anymore. thought I'd get them in before anyone else.

At least I know my worth on the outside I'll leave the gate open and see you there.

[Statty Queen]

Most non-adminers never understood that there was a hell of a lot involved in running a PD point which was difficult to manage when I had a steady stream of customers who would come to the office at their convenience, not mine.

Oh I'm sorry, my mistake, but isn't PSF there to provide a customer service????

I myself have been an NCO in charge of PDs, and granted there are a lot of SACs who work hard and deserve time off, but on the other hand, there are also many lazy fekkers who only look after number 1 and don't give 2 sh*ts about their customers or the other staff in the office. The number of times I had to have a quiet chat ........

So glad I'm outta there

[Lean "Lean" we are nearly]

Spleen suitably vented

and relax.

[MrMasher]

The sweeping generalisations made in some of the posts on this thread are a little unfair, to say the least..

This post was made from MY experiences at the camp where I am based.
If others feel that they have similar experiences at their units they can post it here.
If you feel unjustly picked upon then perhaps you could explain what goes on.
I would love to know what happens at my unit on these "trade training" afternoons.
Anyone at STM tell me?

[CodeMonkey]

here at sunny marham psf have THREE full afternoons per wk when they are unavailable !!!
::/:
id love to see if my chief would go for that idea ? :PDT_Xtremez_30:

Same at ISK now.

[True Blue Jack]

Oh I'm sorry, my mistake, but isn't PSF there to provide a customer service????

I myself have been an NCO in charge of PDs, and granted there are a lot of SACs who work hard and deserve time off, but on the other hand, there are also many lazy fekkers who only look after number 1 and don't give 2 sh*ts about their customers or the other staff in the office. The number of times I had to have a quiet chat ........

So glad I'm outta there

Absolutely, but if you have been there you will know that a good old fashioned gate count would take an hour if you could get on with it in peace and quiet, or the whole day if you have to keep answering the phone to tell someone how much leave they have left. Ergo, by closing the doors for a while, the level of customer service is improved overall.

This is all pre-JPA, of course, and I cannot comment on what PSFs do these days since it has all changed drastically.

As for the number of lazy fekkers in our trade - sadly, I can only agree. But every trade has their fair share of those.

[MrMasher]

As for the number of lazy fekkers in our trade - sadly, I can only agree. But every trade has their fair share of those.

This is all pre-JPA, of course, and I cannot comment on what PSFs do these days since it has all changed drastically.

.

Redirect all the phones into one big loop around the office?
No one ever answers them here. Its easier in theory for us techies if we have an issue with some admin stuff to give a quick call, otherwise its off to the bogs for a 10 minute scrub and general clean up. Then a change of clothing as we arent allowed to wear overalls on the "domestic" site (aircrew + flying suits ok apparently!). Book out of the Sqn and then down to PSF to be ignored at the counter for a bit. Then get passed around the clerks until you find someone who knows the answer or knows when the sarge is back in!
Then back to work to book in and get changed, eventually back at the coal face at least 1/2 hour later than a phone call!
Dont take it the wrong way. This is how it is here. I understand and agree with the point raised that no one is the same and I have seen some damned good adminners out there.
Perhaps its JPA combined with the fact that we are shutting down in the near future and no one gives a sh1t any more?

[metimmee]

Why is it that so many trades have a weekly day/afternoon off and yet us poor underpaid, overworked techies work our nuts off all the time?
Can you imagine telling their lordships that they cant fly this afternoon because we all have to do some trade training? Wouldnt instill much confidence would it? You'd have thought that techies would come fully trained (although to be honest some of us dont seem to be!)

For example:
Med centre have an afternoon "trade training" each week. They are understaffed as it is at our place so surely this doesnt help?

PSF have the trade training afternoon as well. Funny how I rang them one afternoon to hear that they had gone to do some team bonding on a low ropes course!

POL (civvies) dont allow us in until after 10am, no matter how urgent, when they have finished going through some daily crap they do.


Anyone else have some outstanding examples like these or just need to vent some spleen?

The problem here, isn’t the fact that sections are having training afternoons, its because your sqn is so stretched that there is no longer any slack to allow for guys to nip off and get seen to when they have a minute.

You’re almost saying that because your section is in crisis management mode that everyone else should be.

When 1st line is not producing, the impact on the Flying Hour Factory is severe. The impact of PSF closing for an afternoon is minimal on the flying hour factory, but more marked on the poor sods working within stretched sections.

I for one applaud sections who invest in their manpower be it through training, fitness or education. Its just a shame that more cannot enjoy the privilege.

[fat lazy techie]

The med centre at the station of my working has friday afternoons off for trade training. What a shocker it was to find my neighbour, who happens to work in said med centre, home before me, and I was home very early. And before anyone asks, no they weren't on leave. Training my arse!!!!!!!!!!!::/:

[wgaf]

The sweeping generalisations made in some of the posts on this thread are a little unfair, to say the least.

I have worked in PSF at 6 very different units. At none of those units did we have regular afternoons off, although at some we would close the doors to customers once a month so we could do all the management checks on pay, personal details, rations accounting (yes, before JPA that was a PSF function), and so on. Most non-adminers never understood that there was a hell of a lot involved in running a PD point which was difficult to manage when I had a steady stream of customers who would come to the office at their convenience, not mine. What none of those customers saw was how many Sundays I spent in the office playing catch-up.

On the other hand, at Waddo we would sit in PSF on a Friday afternoon beavering away while watching the mass exodus out of the main gate which started at 11 and tailed off at about 2 o'clock. At Boscombe Down, if I wanted to speak to any of the techies on the SAOEU (as it was then) I would phone the crewroom because 9 times out of 10 that is where they would be, no matter what the time of day.

It just depends where you are, and (sometimes) who your boss is.
Sweeping generalisations, isn't that what you've just done.
I spent 5 years at Boscombe on the OEU and psf there where the most lazy, useless, self important bunch of c**ts I have ever known, they never got of their fat ars** unless there was something in it for them. You should have gone round camp mate, no one had a good word to say about psf they were a perfect example of why so many people hold psf in contempt. Useless feckers.

[MrMasher]

The problem here, isn’t the fact that sections are having training afternoons, its because your sqn is so stretched that there is no longer any slack to allow for guys to nip off and get seen to when they have a minute.

You’re almost saying that because your section is in crisis management mode that everyone else should be.

When 1st line is not producing, the impact on the Flying Hour Factory is severe. The impact of PSF closing for an afternoon is minimal on the flying hour factory, but more marked on the poor sods working within stretched sections.

I for one applaud sections who invest in their manpower be it through training, fitness or education. Its just a shame that more cannot enjoy the privilege.


Its a fair point you make. Even so, my section being in "crisis management still doesnt alter the fact that no one in PSF answers their damned phone!
But, look through what I originally said. It's not just admin or med issues. I made an example of POL being unhelpful before 10am. I would love to try that out when the crew walk for their aircraft. "Sorry sir, we don't deal with the general public until it's gone 10am"
It just seems that everything we do to get on these days is in spite of the system in place and not due to it being a good system.
And yes, it would be great to be in the position to be able to take advantage of sport avos etc, like other places. Unfortunately I cant see that happening until STM shuts and I am posted.

[True Blue Jack]

Sweeping generalisations, isn't that what you've just done.
I spent 5 years at Boscombe on the OEU and psf there where the most lazy, useless, self important bunch of c**ts I have ever known, they never got of their fat ars** unless there was something in it for them. You should have gone round camp mate, no one had a good word to say about psf they were a perfect example of why so many people hold psf in contempt. Useless feckers.


When were you there? I'll bet you a fiver it wasn't the same time as me.

[True Blue Jack]

It just seems that everything we do to get on these days is in spite of the system in place and not due to it being a good system.


Spot on. And that applies everywhere.

[The Masked Geek]

Lazy cnut civvy stacker at a certain north-yorkshire base took great delight in telling a bunch of blokes in green to "fcuk off it's tea break".

Didn't seem too delighted when the stn cdr (who was one of said blokes in green) made sure he shat out of two holes forever more.

[wgaf]

When were you there? I'll bet you a fiver it wasn't the same time as me.
'99 'til it closed in 2004, psf were pi** poor and they had a history of it as well, no one had a good word to say about them, hence they were never welcome on Sqn dets.

[kit]

How much time does PSF need for trade training- all they say now is 'you'll have to phome JPAC or ask your HR stuff' ?

[League Any Time]

How much time does PSF need for trade training- all they say now is 'you'll have to phome JPAC or ask your HR stuff' ?

Three afternoons a week where I am:eek:

[MrMasher]

Lazy cnut civvy stacker at a certain north-yorkshire base took great delight in telling a bunch of blokes in green to "fcuk off it's tea break".

Didn't seem too delighted when the stn cdr (who was one of said blokes in green) made sure he shat out of two holes forever more.

Beautiful turn of phrase! Nearly pished meself!

[Talk Wrench]

True Blue Jack[QUOTE= At Boscombe Down, if I wanted to speak to any of the techies on the SAOEU (as it was then) I would phone the crewroom because 9 times out of 10 that is where they would be, no matter what the time of day.
[/QUOTE].



Perhaps it was because the tannoy system in the hangar actually worked and if only one person was in the crewroom at the time, they had access to the rest of the all singing and dancing SAOEU crew, via loudspeaker. They would then appear by the phone in the crewroom in minutes. 2626 I recall????


Regards to the unsung heroes of RAF Boscombe Down, and the shiney ar$es who only had to walk 50 yards from block to work. Awww:PDT_Xtremez_14:

[True Blue Jack]

Regards to the unsung heroes of RAF Boscombe Down, and the shiney ar$es who only had to walk 50 yards from block to work. Awww:PDT_Xtremez_14:

Can you imagine how depressing it was to live your entire life on 3 sides of a car park?

[T55]

I can thoroughly recommend working on a joint unit for time off. Our brothers in green start the day at 0830, tea break 1000- 1030, lunch 1200-1300, tea break 1500-1530, knock off 1700. A couple of days a week PT for an hour, various soldier type training (soldiers first techies second!), endless briefings and adventure training. Realistically, if you take out all the time wasting, it's probably a 3 and a half day week.

[stato]

Oh I'm sorry, my mistake, but isn't PSF there to provide a customer service????

I myself have been an NCO in charge of PDs, and granted there are a lot of SACs who work hard and deserve time off, but on the other hand, there are also many lazy fekkers who only look after number 1 and don't give 2 sh*ts about their customers or the other staff in the office. The number of times I had to have a quiet chat ........

So glad I'm outta there

Never a truer word said, escaped Handbrake house 7 years ago and dread the time of returning to it

[BillyBunter]

Well what ****es me off is trying to run the desk on the squadron , dayshift best example , we mostly all x trained (Rigger / Sootie Job) not IP complete though !!! day consists of chasing up supply demands , items awaiting delivery , collecting stuff as supply aint got enough manpower, boxing up flying controls large items , identifying non ident numbers , in other words a (suppliers job), Then DI ing all vehicles , dropping then off /picking up from MT , refuelling wagons, cleaning wagons (MT Job) , throughout the day you are constantly trying to arrange manpower to get the flypro sorted , in the mean time constantly answering the phone from people like PSF / Med Centre asking if so and so is in and what shift he is on , when they could just call up the registry (Admin Job ) , travel claims , oh sorry must use JPA and audit all my receipts, book leave , ask FS if its ok.Sort leave for the shift lads (PSF job) and just to top things off 2 weeks on guard duty next week ,damm have to book a CCS course and a WHT to sit on the gate for 1 week (RAF Police job)

Some time to be a Rigger and work on aircraft would be nice !!!!

I think im qualified to be Multiskilled in about 5 trades now , so i reckon make all them trades redundent , pay all engineers them left over wages and we will just run the damm station !!!

Its no bloody diffrent to what im doing now !!!

Sorry Rant over :PDT_Xtremez_42:

[True Blue Jack]

Billy,

You are in the same position as most people I know. My clerky-type qualifications and experience means that I can be employed as an ordinary office clerk, accountant, secretary, pay specialist, discip, IT systems administrator and usually some or all of these things at the same time.

On my sqn, the guys are swapped around between shifts so often (usually in a desperate attempt to make best use of the skillsets available) that we in the registry almost never know who is on which shift from one day to the next.

As for sorting out your travel claims and your own leave, well that's just personal admin - do you expect the barber to come to you? And sorting out leave for the shift lads goes with being a manager, whoever and wherever you are. Don't get me wrong, I am no fan of JPA, but it wasn't some adminer's bright idea.

I do think guard duty needs looking at, though. In my view, we no longer have the capacity to spend time away from our primary duties to do station security. Time was, it was a week out of the office. These days, I take work with me to do while I am not on the gate.

[referee806]

Being selected for CSRR duties is the best excuse in the book, especially as most of the games are over the border in the Father Land, at least 3 days off for travelling, refereeing and then recovering from the post match celebrations. However being the athlete as I am, it's only orange juice and we all know what too many orange juices does to ones body. As we know Combined Services is Duty.

Well that's what I tell OC Domestic Command
:PDT_Xtremez_28:

[OnTheHippidyHop]

PSF at Waddo. open from 9-12, shut in the afternoon except for "emergencies," the Med Centre is also shut about one thursday a month for Training, which fair enough, medical staff do need training often. PSF though, every single afternoon shut, and judging by when I have been there fixing PCs, always gone by around 4 - 4.30. Part timers the lot of them

[True Blue Jack]

PSF at Waddo. open from 9-12, shut in the afternoon except for "emergencies," the Med Centre is also shut about one thursday a month for Training, which fair enough, medical staff do need training often. PSF though, every single afternoon shut, and judging by when I have been there fixing PCs, always gone by around 4 - 4.30. Part timers the lot of them

I always miss out on the good postings. When I was in PSF at Waddo, we were open 8 till 5 every day of the week, including Friday. We even provided a lunchtime service. Officially we were closed for customers from 4, but in reality we never turned people away. How times change.