Obviously we will be given a pay INcrease. Even management knows that the boat is rocking a bit, and they do pay attention to the fact that a lot of NAM pilots are walking off to greener pastures and even the odd S/O is leaving for other options arising in their old backyard.
What is also obvious from the AoA updates is that nothing comes from nothing. We will pay for the expected pay INcrease by means of supplying the company with the required "here and now" requirement for pilots to man the new ships. For a lot of guys that will mean extra time to upgrade, possibly like some of you have mentioned 3-4 years. But please pay attention to the fact that 3-4 year of extra time to command can quickly turn into 3-10 years if the !!!! ones again hits the fan. Those of you who do not get command within the next few years will also be the ones to suffer should another sars, birdflue or Asian crises arises, you will simply be cut off.
The company will man those shiny jets - whatever it takes - whatever means they will have to use. Accept it.