You only go through a full time progression once. If you top out as an air driver, then win a ground bid, you'll start at top rate. That may be the main reason the progression is changing to match ground. It works the other way too. If I became a full time air driver, I would be at top rate for air drivers. It would be a pay cut, but air driving is so cake, it'd be worth it. Almost as nice as going feeders.
Thanks you're being so helpful. What if I was a PT air driver at top rate and bid into a FT air driver job?