What is the real cost
This whole programme of JFO pay should be part of the pay negotiations. In other words if a JFO gets a x% pay rise (and I am saying if!!) then what good is it if he is held back from FO upgrade. The JFO does not get that money back and therefore it would take a very large increase to offset the months pay at the JFO scale. Do not remember the numbers off the top of my head (I was one of the luck ones and got the back pay) maybe someone going through right now could outline the costs to a JFO if he does not get through right away.
Also the company should realise that any savings they reap by holding back JFOs who are actually fit to upgrade is lost in the extra load on the training system. The lack of training resources that could otherwise be applied to needed training (ie command courses and SO courses and DFO courses). As it stands now we are not achieving the required numbers to man inbound a/c so we are n danger of loosing market share and slots. All because the JFO upgrade is over the top more difficult than it needs to be.
peace out !