Dorian
Sorry to disappoint you, but DEC are not on the drawing boards. A whole bunch of upgrades next year by very experienced FOs, so don't hold your breath.
We have 600 drivers to date, and the official tally by end 2002 is 780. One thing is for sure, expansion will continue, but based on the outcome of the pilot's meeting late last year, and seeing Mr Flanagan's reaction, DEC are surely a low priority to date. There were a number of FOs who had the right command time to be expedited ahead of the 3-year rule, so that also helped. Trust me, we would rather have that than an "outsider" come in to fill the LHS. Remember, the majority of FOs here at EK have superb experience, and many have more than the required 6000TT. There is a vast experience level from which the Company can draw. Let's hope it does just that!
Re. the command requirements, they were changed late last year, and remain so to date.
Cheers
M.A.Rat
[ 08 July 2001: Message edited by: M.A. Rats ]