FlyingStig,
It's true that I left VS on sabbatical in early 2009. 1st April to be exact.
I joined another loco as a DEC immediately. Perhaps I was lucky? Perhaps I saw the aviation downturn coming quicker than others did? Either way, it doesn't matter.
As far as FO's in my company deserving a Command - and me nicking it.... Well, at the time we didn't have enough experience in the FO ranks to be considered for Command.
And, guess what? A year later we are still expanding and don't have enough experienced FO's to promote. Don't get me wrong, we are promoting our own -and plenty of them- but there's not enough. Therefore, we still need DEC's today.
And, whilst new contracts aren't as good as old ones, they are either long term or permanent!!
That's what gets me p1ssed about easyJet offering low money for no security. A new, abysmal low has been reached, and will no doubt be passed if people accept this type of "deal".
Bad news.