FRI's , if correctly aimed, will save millions. Unfortunately, manning will be the ones taking the shot. Cue a lot of bizarre trades getting huge bonuses whilst aircrew leave in droves...
There is not a hope in hell of the scale of FRIs being suggested on this thread - it simply won't happen as it would be hugely divisive.
I'm not convinced that, unlike the late 1970s, salaries and allowances are the root of the RAF's current malaise. From what I hear, it seems more the constant operational tempo, lack of variety, primitive working conditions, shagged out old aeroplanes, fleets being cut, bases being closed....
Is it surprising that so many pilots have PVR'd? Hardly.