Poto,
I'm not saying that SO's aren't important, after all they
are third in command
but to say that they're
just as important as the captain and the FO is just plain ludicrous.
Sure, an extra set of eyes is always useful, but if they were necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft then wouldn't they be carried on every flight? Gee, how do the 767 guys cope if they're operating 2 pilot and neither of them have been to the destination in a couple of weeks.
As an SO I do my job, monitor what's going on and speak up when I need to, but I don't lose sleep wondering how they do it without me!
ruprecht.