I was lucky enough to fly first wave almost every day, which means I was down there in my flight suit and prepped at 0615. Some hated being first wave, but you couldn't beat the ultra smooth thermal-free flying conditions. Also means you can take time to wait in line for an icecream at lunch.
Yes ADFA slots have been ramped up a bit and DEO knocked back, but in a few years time we will have platforms such as the Rhino and Wedgetail delivered fully and (hopefully) either at FOC or approaching it, and the KC-30A somewhere apart from Spain...hopefully. They'll have more aircraft with better availability than the ones they're replacing, they will be needing more pilots for that period and into the future (~2015 for Caribou replacement). The intake numbers have been constantly fluctuating, but no doubt it will begin to turn again as it always does.