Hi Simmy, I suspect many guys could acccept the 50% rate. There is also loss of personal tax allowance and loss of tax relief on pensions.
You are correct in saying if these high earning pilots go part time they do less work, but still keep 95% of their take home. What would you do in the same situation?
Obverall UK plc will get less tax revenue cos people do not want to work for the tax man. It proves the diminishing returns from increased rates of taxation.
On the plus side it may create some vacancies for swimmers in the (ex)hold pool.