Use the pension calculator and feed in several scenarios. The answers that it gives seem to be quite clear; here's a summary:
If you're on the PA spine and the new (2005) pension scheme, you'll retire at 55 with a cracking pension - maybe more that a Wg Cdr's. PVR and you will not suffer a drop in pay (because you do not receive flying pay) and your pension will be based on your last year's salary. Moreover, looking at the examples that I've run, it doesn't appear to be necessary to spend 5 years as PA before you get the PAS pension - even if you PVR.
If you're on the PA spine and the old (1975) pension scheme, you'll retire at 55 with a pension that is slightly better than your peers on the Career Spine. If you PVR and haven't been on the PAS for 5 years, you'll revert to Career Spine salary, loose half of your flying pay until you leave and receive a Career Spine pension.
The bottom line is that the PA Spine coupled with the old pension scheme doesn't really offer much. You'll only be a winner if you're on the new pension scheme.
Last edited by LFFC; 4th Oct 2007 at 20:31.