BBTF & Exezy,
I think you may have misconstrued the point I was trying to make. (Unfortunately, my communications skills as best described as agricultural). "Bollox" to you they maybe, but given Fly123456's request for
opinions on the matter, I feel I am entitled to give mine (as are you of course!).
I do not wish to enter the proverbial p!ssing contest of FO vs SO, but please allow me to elaborate for the benefit of the thread's originator and to dispel the apparent misconstrued belief you may have about my opinion of FOs!
My comment on ego was more in reference to the
perception those people transitioning to the "big" airline world (such as Fly123456) appear to have re: the SO life being one of complete lack of job satisfaction. Nothing could be further from the truth in my eyes, and at least a few others on this thread appear to share my opinion! (deluded sods I hear you say
). It also does not mean that anyone who joined as an FO is egotistical!!!
Yes, the SO doesn't "fly", the money is (relatively) sh!te, the responsibility negligible and respect from fellow aviators is often, ahem, limited... But if money is not your god (wow, did I just say that living in HK?!?), your ego doesn't mind taking a backseat for a few years and if insults from "skygods who invented aviation" are like acid off a duck's back, THEN S.O. IS THE GIG FOR YOU!!
Ultimately, if you joined 1 day before a DEFO then (technically) you will still be eligible for command before him. In a 20+ year career, a few years warming up on the bench and enjoying life to the full won't matter a hell of a lot.
Of course, I caveat all of the above with the "it's a personal lifestyle choice" thing. Fly123456, If you wanna a window seat ASAP then get onboard as an FO.
Peace, out!
P.S. Whilst I am enjoying the job, I will also admit that it doesn't rock my world. The thing is, not much in the airline business would rock my world (except for a 2v1 with a couple of Russian hookers whilst sniffing a line of Columbian nose candy off their 32DD bre@sts in the hotel room on a layover somewhere.) Quite frankly, I've coughed up stuff more interesting than airline flying, but hey - whatever floats your boat!
