Sqwak, the biggest issue I had with the freighter contract was RA55. after 40, the ears start clickin' by 10000 fpm. Don't !!!! on guys for wanting that opportunity...do you !!!! on the current CoS 08 guys? If you have something planned after 55, good on ya - stay on 99 and the higher FO pay while you're an FO. But it's not like you're going to get a 20K salary reduction in year 5, etc (more like 3K). Look at it as a reduction in salary INCREASE over that next year as an FO (you'll then be about 6K behind the B scale). But in return, if you think you need airline work past 55, in return you get 10 more years at 200+K.
Nobody's retarded if they take this - and there hasn't been anything better offered or worked from our end.