I've flown with half a dozen Aussies here in the UK, 4 of which were DEC's. Is that ok?
Fair call to some extent, though, correct me if I'm wrong, the DEC's in Europe are most likely because there were not enough local candidates.
Down here there is no such shortage of suitably qualified candidates. This is just a blatant effort to drive down terms and conditions particularly for the FO's. If they are looking at bring in DEC's as has been described it would seem that the FO's are not going to get the chance to upgrade. The FO's are going to be kept as bonded servants or slaves. Once one operator starts this cr*p others are likely to follow suit.