Mr Nite Flite,
please note that Cox mentions he is a student pilot, I don't think there's any bitter grapes involved in his posting.
As a matter off fact, he is right about the upgrading rate with SAS. The normal RHS time is about 10-12 years before upgrade - and YES, it is a excellent company!.
As far as I know, Maersk Air RHS time is a bit shorter, around 6-8 years.
However, there could be an improvement in the future as You correctly mention, because both companies have hired a lot of new guys over the past couple of years. Another thing is that First Officers from SAS Airline is "hired out" to SAS Commuter to Captains positions, and they are thereby upgraded a bit faster.
RGRDS
Moonbeam P.