Downfourgreen, very well thought post.. .In many years in Asia/ME, have found there is not much difference in the AF vs civvy types, as First Officers anyway, and I have trained both.. .Recall the first AF guy to join SQ, he could fly the B707 very well indeed and had a superb attitude. Of course, in those days the guys got many circuits in the aircraft....trained to proficiency was the motto then...at least while fuel was cheap.