Whybyflier,
Salary hopefully wont be mentioned on here, but it is pretty good. Taxable allowances add to the mix such that you'll make more than at any other operator in NZ. Non taxable allowances are irrelevant as they are all spent overseas. We dont have sector pay, but do have incentive pay. Anything over 60 hours for long haul means a percentage increase. Overall the money is very good, I certainly lead a good lifestyle.
Longest Ive heard someone spending as an SO voluntarily is around 8 years. Those who have spent longer have invariably been commuters who don't wont to move to Auckland. Time to an A320 job as it stands today will be in the 3-4 year range. Of course who knows how things will speed up or slow down.
Historically command on a widebody has taken around 20 years. Some guys have picked up 737 commands within 5 years. Personally I would guess at having an A320 command at around the 15 year mark. Typically progression from there is quite quick.
Redundancies were most recently made around the early 90's. It was a time of major restructuring and hopefully wont happen again.
At the moment a surprising number of guys are being sent to the 737 as an FO (equivalent in rank and pay to SO), as well as to the 747 and 767 as SOs. A320 is a significant jump in salary, you'll have to wait your turn for that one.
SO rosters vary markedly. 747 might involve 1-2 SFO returns in a 28 day roster. 767 would do a little bit more, the 777 the most. Typically 777 SOs are at around 70-80 hours a roster. That would mean around 16-18 days physically in NZ.
Air NZ simply wont be able to hire all they need from the Link carriers. Up to half the guys on intakes at the moment have come from outside the group.
Lifestyle is excellent.
Hope that helps.