Hi Brix
Regarding 1st point. Yes, policy has changed and now permission no longer required. Not that 90% used to ask before anyway!
Your 2nd point. Agreed, but once you break the back of it within a few months it's done and dusted................at least until 3 years on from then.
Regards to the 3rd point. Agree, but only to a certain extent. Certainly nowhere near the right of re-course that you may get in a non racist and fairer society.
Point 4. Ideal for the children as I don't have concerns about them visiting 'naughty' sites. Frustrating for me though that I cant!
5th point. Mmm. We've all been assured of late that our policy as a Company is that of training, not checking. At the end of the day though we have to reach a required standard and it needs to be assessed. That will, or at least should be, true of every Airline. As for 'pressure', that's very subjective and will vary with the individual. Again, from personal experience, most Airlines tend to give the poor F/O a harder grilling in the sim as to some extent, rightly or wrongly, the Captain has gone through the 'mill'!
Point 6. While it may or may not be true for some, it's a difficult tag to 'sheik' off as poor management perception and distrust tends to linger for a long, looong, loooooooooong time.
Final point. That's one of the reasons i'm happy to stay. Just wish that the gang behind the door were more sociable downroute. Unfortunately,too many delsy dinners spoiling the fun!