Not to mention for 16 year FOs, in their 40s, kids in high school who are nigh on impossible to uproot (family comes first), the only option to remain in Sydney was to become a SO again. RINed pilots were unable to displace across hauls.
Sure, they may be able to get an FO slot in SYD on the 73 in future but, as part of the RIN, for some the only option was to lose a stripe and their hard-earned window seat.
Name another airline where 16 year pilots, who have been in the 'Group' longer than pilots for any subsidiary (except a few ex-impulse guys), have been FOs for maybe 14 years are back to cruse relief jobs. Didn't think so.
Any real airline those guys and girls would have been Captains years ago.