CWD,
Before Jayand picks me up on the 13k figure - it's actually on a graduated scale for the RAF with a low starting rate of FP building to the higher rate after 8 years. I'm not sure how starting salaries compare between the RAF and the airlines but for the very experienced aircrew, i.e, read across airline captain / AT captain, the 13k (ish) addition is fairly realistic. The real problem though is that our senior aircrew (myself included) have become used to getting the extra pay and have consequently made life decisions (and mortgages) on the expectation of continuing to receive a similar rate. For yourself, the percentage pay cut that you will experience going into a ground tour might not put you off and it could also be advantageous for your career. For us, individuals would not accept the huge percentage reduction so readily, creating havoc in the manning world once SDSR has eventually balanced out.
Apologies about the "Royal" bit by the way!