ttn,
completely agree with you. I am against the company taking in DEC's, but can't hold anything against an individual taking up this opportunity.
In case AS or AAR can't live with 2500hr F/O's, why not make them S/O's; you would be able to find people as S/O, suitable for the long range operations. A cheaper way of getting 3 man flightdecks on several flights which are now operated to the limit with 2 pilots. Also, like you say, these people would need at least about 5 years before they have 6000hrs for command. Would solve the F/O shortage and make operations cheaper - why didn't they think about that one yet???
MR8