BEagle,
I agree with your principle, but I think Microsoft must be using flawed data.
Point is RAF culture is changing. Personnel spend so much time away now that all they want to do is come home to a "base". If promotion means moving twenty miles down the road rather than the other end of Britain then thats what will happen.
Good bases are being doomed by NIMBY's.
Bad bases are being saved by vote buying.
Good thing for Scottish the bases is Easyjet.
Additionally, some pepole in Scotland like the fact that they have at least a days warning of intended visitations.