Avius - though I like your uppity attitude - keep in mind quite a few SO's also flew 400's before they joined - have to admit that I don't think any had commands. That is besides the point though.
It is a matter of the comapny ignoring seniority - and this will cost these guys dearly.
An SO with an upgrade delayed one year will forever be one payscale lower every year. That translated into more than a million HK $ over the course of a career.....which is a whole lot more than the 10k or so in bypass pay they are also not receiving every month.
Very few of us have an issue with the DEFO 's themselves - it's with the promise that was made that DEFO recruitment won't hold back SO upgrades - and if it does there will be Bypass to compensate.