Dear Mr Benn , Bounce;
I had a command on a 757 and worked with a fantastic bunch of pilots at my old charter employer. The training was superb and I loved every minute of it! The routes were interesting and I was proud of the company.
BUT don't forget that when working for a charter Co you get worked flat out each Summer, you will miss every Wedding/BBQ etc etc. Rostering will use CAP 371 as a target and you may fly 100hrs (including knackering Night LPA,TFS,DLM) + in a calendar month.
My employer paid me nothing for working on a day off - and they always expected me to go up to 3 hours into discretion.The staff travel was very poor indeed. ( Since joining BA I have flown Club class longhaul many times!)
By posting this I'm not knocking the very experience that I benefitted from; (charter - Air 2K JMC, Monarch et all) I'm simply trying to put the other side of the argument!
Believe me ... with overtime ( perhaps 1 day a month), the pension (it is worth as great deal to me to be able to retire at 55), roster stability + fairness etc I find I'm far far better off at BA.
PS Friends of mine achieved EOG and BHX commands within 4 years! I know it will be longer in the future - but it's worth waiting for.
If you are <38 don't beleive every thing you read on PPRUNE... find someone who works for BA (preferably a recent DEP)and ask them!
Don't disregard it.