I've been at VS over 5 years, and I can't see a command being closer than 2 years from now. On 9/11 it was months away
Almost all of those demoted after 9/11 are back in the LHS, and we are getting close to having the same number of ac on the line as we had then. There are moves to order more, although type is unknown, and we have 5 more A340-600s and 6 A380s to come over the next 4 or 5 years. However, we will be retiring
some of the A343s, and any new order, coupled with the arrival of the A380s, will probably see the earliest 744s depart shortly thereafter. What's the net result? Well, it's not going to be a return to command in 4-5 years! For the guys who've been in the airline between 3 and 5 years, I'd guess that 8 years to command is probably in the ballpark. It's too difficult to predict what the future is for those with less than 3 years in VS, but anywhere from 6 years to 12 years should cover it!
Virgin pay has been covered in other threads both in this Forum and in Wannabes/Jobs.