In the 60s and 70s all pilots joined BEA & BOAC as Second Officers and wore one stripe. After a certain time, depending on experience, they became First Officers and wore two stripes. When they had sufficient experience they became Senior First Officers providing they held an ATPL. I seem to remember that when Cambrian (the Klingons) amalgamated with BA all these rules disappeared as their guys with only a CPL could become SFOs. For a short period about 1972 one or two chaps were promoted to command in BEA straight from FO as they had insufficient time to become SFOs when their number came up. But all qualified pilots wore the company brevet (wings) on their jackets.
I imagine it has all changed now.
Last edited by 26er; 7th September 2012 at 15:43.