Scroggs,
8 years? More like double that!
I was at the bottom of the seniority list. At 8.5 captains an aircraft, Virgin needed 34 additional aircraft (with forecast retirements) for me to be considered for a command. How long for 34 additional aircraft? More than 8 years I suggest.
With the 20 years I had to go before mandatory retirement, I considered my getting a command to be unlikely - or for just a few years before drawing my pension.
Which is why I left.