What are the standing agreements in other soon-to-be EASA countries? Aren't there some countries which issue an ATPL to their pilots early on in their careers as they have to fly in controlled "civilian" airspace as part of our jobs anyway? If we have a joint rule for all countries, how is that going to work? I think Dutch, Danish, Spanish and French pilots all have MUCH simpler and cheaper routes to a civilian career than we do in the UK. If the path change becomes harder for us in the UK, and our european brethren have to abide by the same changes, they are going to have a fit.
Could this actually be a change for the better for an RAF pilot, with easier transitions for us all?
Even so, I'm ploughing through Bristol Ground School at the moment!