Speaking as an actuary, I can confirm that a properly funded final salary scheme is the mutt's nuts of retirement arrangements IF you expect to be working for the scheme provider for a period of at least 10 (and preferably 20) years. Forty, thirty, even twenty years ago, this was not an unreasonable assumption, but few workers are in (or would wish to be in) this position any longer.
How many folks starting work for BAA this year seriously expect to be working there in 10 years time?