Bunkmaker
Take a deep breath and be careful who you flame.... my point is that I go to my copy of the COS, both hard copy and electronic, and it doesn't allow for SO's getting by-pass. No agenda, just dealing with what is written.
Equally, my COS doesn't even mention DE FO's.... what effect do they and extendees have on a Freighter FO on the Veta COS... "career" wise... quite a bit... compensation.... nil....
It would seem that SO's are on a different "contract". I am HK based and on a Veta contract. Big deal you may say: I think Apple Tree Yard has it spot on; the whole contract has become so complicated and in such disrepair that the company are doing what they want on any given day. There is no fairness or consistency; your expectations are different than mine and I can't even look and learn about what your expectations are.
Career Airline???