if I had just stayed an FO,5/4 and the same money, if only I could turn back time.
This is fast becoming a reoccurring theme.
The penny is starting to drop with a few command upgrade ready First Officers, or "low hanging fruit" as they are known to senior members of the training department, that a command on less money then they are making now in their base of choice is probably not worth it anymore as they will be on 5/3 in a far flung siht hole with no chance of a transfer back as direct entry Captains slide into the desired bases.
It get's better too. When PB was on his charm offensive, touring the bases to raise morale he stated that amongst others Fes and Marrakesh were future bases.
A cynic might suggest that this is a deliberate "environmental push factor" as a deviant manager in Aer Lingus once put it. Deliberately push people to breaking point, send them to a base which will put their family and social connections under strain of breaking until they are forced to leave and replace with a cheaper replacement. The race to the bottom continues, PB gets his bonus.
I couldn't comment.