Not to mention that ironically, LTiCX makes the same mistake that many ill-informed DEFOs made about myself and many of my peers who joined on the DESO scheme. The only avenue of entry for the PAX fleet at that time and indeed for many years prior.
I remember one such conversation on the Flt deck when I was an SO with a newly minted DEFO.
DEFO: " You're a bit old to be an SO, did you change careers or something?"
Me : 'No, I've been flying for over 12 years before I joined CX'
DEFO: "Really?! oh, did you fail an upgrade or something?"
Me : <sigh> 'No'
DEFO: "Ooh, so you just flew lighties then, couldn't get FO like me with my B1900 time!"
Me : 'Err, no. My last 7 years was as TCN on a 50 ton jet'
DEFO: "Whaaaa??? Why are you a cadet then??"
Me : (swears under breath) 'I'm not.'
DEFO: "Huh!? But you're an SO..."
At which point the CN saves me from pulling my own head off in frustration by turning to him and (only half jokingly) saying 'geez you're stupid', before explaining the concept of DESOs and how he is several hundred numbers behind said DESOs on the seniority list. A fact which confused him even more!
