I was out sailing a few days ago with a couple of A330 mates with VA and BA (the latter also ex FJ) and their view was that it would be difficult for Airtanker to recruit experienced A330 captains, as most would be reluctant to lose their LIFO seniority, not to mention trading staying in 5* hotels in places like Sydney, with staying in the mess at MPA or Kandahar. However, their view was that the possibly quicker route to command might appeal to some FOs, faced with a fifteen year wait for the LHS on the legacy airlines.