One of the major problems with all of this is; pilots want to be promoted for flying airplanes and the AF will not promote someone based solely on their flying.

Right or wrong as a pilot you have three choices, play the game w/ additional duties and get promoted, get out or don't play the game and don't get promoted.

The AF is never going to pay a Major or LTC to just fly. They can get Capts to do that. For the Capts, the needs of the AF will always come first.

It is what it is. I've always advocated the AF needs to just accept it and train more people. Although that's not the cost effective answer and in times of shrinking budgets it's tough to do.