<<NigelonDraft, that third strip may seem trivial us, but because BA recruits so many cadet pilots, having 2 stripes will tend to "represent" less experience as that is what new starter(usually a cadet) wears.>>
I was more than happy to wear 2 stripes for 4 years... I really didn't give a monkey's... But it could be personal thing I suppose?
However, there are other things in BA that being a "Senior" Aircraft Officer (to quote!) gives you e.g. Staff Travel etc. Are you claiming superiority over the CEPs in this area? Or just getting everything confused?
<<The status of the extra stripe represents flying experience well inexcess to the cadet entry.>>
CEPs v Experienced DEPs are usually more easily identifable by their "youth" (or lack of it!)...
That said, I had heard from a Senior manager some year or so ago that the 3rd Stripe was coming in early, so something seemed to be happening... but hasn't?
NoD