Regarding the second officer contracts via Parc:
5 F/Os from SAS are on their way for a 4 month contract as S/O on the 340. I believe they will work for scraps, but it is not hard to find motivation to leave the Scandinavian winter.
These guys are the most senior F/Os in SAS, and have just had their commanders course cancelled(again) as the company are cutting routes and reducing fleet again. Leaving the sinking ship, at least temporarily, is of course tempting as well.
Wish them luck!!