IMO, you shouldn't even have to think too hard on this. Yes, the command time is better, especially if you have an IN already as you mentioned in post 1.
I knew ex-Eastern guys who stayed as FO for schedule/routes/domocile/ reasons and when we were together at Saudia that's the only position they could hold and subsequently retired as FO. Get command time early and alot of it, never know in this business when something comes up, good or bad. Hope this helps.