kintyred - there are a few of us ex-PAS who have rejoined on PAS (usually as Flt Lt aircrew in a flying tour). I think the issue here is for those ex-PAS not rejoining on those terms i.e. rejoining into the career stream with the associated Retention Pay (Flying). I'd guess to allow them to rejoin at a rank where PAS is no longer valid (Wg Cdr?).