7th YR H1B perm not started can I switch employer

[tuser123]

I am on my 7th yr of H1B with employer A. I got 3 yrs visa extn with employer A when i did visa transfer due to approved I-140 from my previous Employer B.

Now employer A cannot process my GC due to recent layoffs.My current visa is expiring in Aug 2014 9yrs with no further extensions.

my Questions:

1) Can I transfer H1 Visa to a third employer C and start Perm process with them. So that my GC gets filed before the final year 365 days approaches i.e filed before Aug 2013.

2) Am I eligible to do H1B transfer at this stage. I still have 2yrs valid H1B and maybe 90 days of time to capture as I was outside US.

3) I am being working with US fortune top 2-3 companies from past 5 yrs as an Full Time employee. Is it safe/good idea to become a consultant for 2-3 yrs and transfer my H1B to consultant companies or preferred vendors companies

Experts pls advise as this is the make or break situation for me. I wanted to know if i still have time or have no time left at all.