The time to command is long mate, I'm about 2 years away (prob ) if all goes well, and the industry stays ok! there are about two hundred behind me at least and balpa said recently 13? scheduled retirements pre 2013? figures from memory, scroggs will now exact he's that type of chap.
Morale is low towards management, many, many broken promises and a face off is only a short way away. The girls are not the same, five years ago each trip was like a dream but now their appalling pay and shocking cabin crew management have made it so that they save and shop just to get by. The 5'10 blonde beauties all cashed in a while ago and married footballers.
On the plus side I get to fly with an uncommonly good bunch of rotters. I imagine though you probably do the same though.
My advice? Stay and get your command, many of us SFO's are ACTIVELY looking for work elsewhere, dragon, ek etc.
Pay? 2200 after pension cont. MONEY PURCHASE!!! Thats after 5 yrs service
Staff travel? good but a bit of a con really, most seats filled by last minute etc
perks? lots of candy floss but very little substance.
A command will pay you a lot more, and will keep you out of port Harcourt for 6 day slips.
Its up to you.