The focus on hours is superfluous. If you are hired at EK, you are hired as a F/O with the function of seniority to move into the left seat. With good sim results and no snags, all F/O's should be upgraded accordingly in turn. Transition upgrades should return and the DEC program should be a last resort to fill high demand expansion. The difference between 15k hrs and 8k hrs means very little as for being ready and capable for command. It's a number of other factors that one needs to competently do the job well. These days a sense of humor would be high on the list, or the ability to sleep on demand .
On the whole I see the DEC program as being a cancer to morale, but to no fault of the individual. I hope the current F/O's are not further by-passed, specifically on the airbus, and the company gives credit to it's active F/O's.
Can't we just all get along........
