On My upgrade there were only 2 guys out of 16 with less than 10,000 hours. One was a cadet. All but 4 had had a command before.
Most DEC programs are at airlines with low hours F/O's and there is a need for some perceived experience.
This is not the case at emirates where you need 4000 hrs total including 2000 jet to join as an F/o.
Now most guys with that sort of experience are commanders (LCC) or senior F/o's at their current airline.
The DEC policy is wrong. It's a cost saving exercise. When you join as a DEC you will experience Emirates cost neutral style and then bitch about it.
If you are out of work then I see why you would come but we have guys that have retired from BA on a fat pension just to make it tax free, including management.
Most F/o's don't hold anything against the DEC's, except when they are incompetent and or arrogant, which unfortunately they often are (Both)
Several Dec's have downgraded to F/o whilst none or nearly none of the upgraded F/o's have.
Anybody fancy taking-off over Max takeoff Weight deliberately today?
One of MANY examples I’ve seen on ULR trips.
Billy