some answers
bobrun,
my understanding is that anyone going on a base from next year will be on CoS08 - well, once on-shoring for each base occurs. I think UK is first in Apr08.
slapfaan
We asked for in excess of 30+%. Sounds like a lot until you realise that it was to cover from Jul01-Jul10. It worked out to be about 3% a year. A lion may roar and growl, but the ringmaster has the chair and whip.
waterskier
I am not sure of your situation but the 3 choices you suggested are not possible for one person. You are either on CoS99 or CoS08.
If you are on a base now you can stay on CoS99 or move onto CoS08. If you are in HKG now you will have to go onto CoS08 to get a base in future. If you are joining CX after 1/1/08 you will be on the new improved CoS!
Option 2 pays the most and is about 2.4%(nominal, not NPV) better than option 3. Option 1 was less 3 by 5% or so.
QF and CX have similar command times now. QF pays more over a career vs HKG based or Aus based pilots. EK has command time a decade faster than CX/QF. An EK career will have you around 30% better off, after tax, over 10 years. QF earnings will be over 24.6% higher than CX equivalent after 10 years...actually it will be higher than that as you will have to take UFO08 Aus based salary in future and I haven't got the lastest QF EBA figures.
If you want command - look at EK. If you want money look at QF or EK. If you want industrial protection (compared to EK/CX) join QF. If you love zoological maths "RA65 will ACCELERATE your time to command" then join CX.
Caveat Emptor!