Sprinkles I agree with you. Unfortunately because it is now such big business it will only stop post an accident, when the public understand the need for law changes. At that point we will probably go down the same route as the U.S. requiring 1500 hours before being right seat qualified. The pay to fly will still continue even then with the 1500 hour guys wanting to gain advantage.
My view though is much more that I would like to see the benefit of experience appreciated and respected by all Airlines with respect to safety. I think that a 200 hour Pilot is a long, long way from being as safe as he will one day become. To put him in the right seat as a backstop to an overworked Captain is, in my opinion, unsafe. This is a "culture of risk", a short sighted gamble designed to benefit the shareholders of the various outfits.