Originally Posted by
ElZilcho
SO’s at QF (and Air NZ) are B scale FO’s because they can’t (under normal ops) takeoff or land… yet are trained and checked to the same standard as an FO. Unlike other carriers where SO’s are cadets who hold Cruise Relief Type Ratings which aren’t recognised outside their Airline.
We have the same issues at Air NZ where, due to the nature of the job, SO’s can earn more than 320 FO’s while on a lower base, but that should be an argument to increase the SH FO rates not reduce the SO rates. Neither Airline is going to attract new hires with the same experience levels they usually enjoy if the starting position is LH SO earning minimum wage.
Why do you need 'experience' to be an SO?