Mr B - you're probably correct. I'm just wistfully weighing up my own chances of getting into ATr. I guess very low, given likely competition from ex-RAF tanker pilots, and my own experience only on civilian light jets.
It'll be interesting to see how they pitch the Ts and Cs. Although the general civ market is abysmal at the moment, there is ironically a shortage of A330 pilots, and so pay for A330 drivers is as good as it gets. I suspect that they will not need to match those rates though.
Tourist:
Does the Airbus intend to be able to AAR from others as well as AAR to others, and if so will the Airbus sidestick control system make this tricky?
No - the option to receive was deleted. I believe the RAAF A330 did keep this option though. Beags will be along to reveal all in far more detail I am sure.