Is Second Officer time worth anything?
Given the anticipated recruitment at Air NZ and Qantas, amongst others, it would appear that there will be a number of S/O slots coming up.
I am a fairly experienced turboprop driver and am looking to move on. I don't want to relocate at this stage (kids at school etc) so an F/O slot on a 737/320 won't work. I'm therefore considering a commutable longhaul S/O job for a few years before moving offshore to get an F/O slot somewhere.
Do the larger overseas carriers (Emirates etc) value S/O time? I believe Emirates' minimums are 1000 hours jet time - does S/O time count? Is it also correct that you get a usable type rating out of Air NZ which would be valid (hence attractive) elsewhere?