I cant tell you policy......policy changes like the wind. What I can tell you is that we are short of FOs.
I can also tell you that as an SO (right now) you can apply to move across to the frieghter, as an FO, immediately.
If you want to stay on the pax fleet, ie in HKG, it is about 3yrs to upgrade.
There are currently SOs upgrading onto the 744 and Classic freighter who inside this window.
(From a company stand point, they will obviously still assess your 'training risk' and your progress........ its not a right of passage)