Just stumbled across this thread and have been with M for twelve years, yes ,time to command is slow at the moment and has left some fo `s disgruntled.Especially when they look around and see easyjet offering people quick commands. However, theres more to it than that. Monarch have never gone in for outrageous growth only to cut back two years later with redundancies and demotion.Growth is always slow and steady but secure. Salary and conditions are some of the best in the industry (although as alluded to already ,being put under pressure at the mo)but just as important in my opinion is the attitude of the flying management which always tries to support flight crew instead of guilty until found innocent which pervades some companies.
In the time i`ve been with M i have seen the demise of Air Europe, TEA, Inter European, Paramount,British Island Airways, Dan Air to name but a few.
Dont just look at the bright lights.