Big variation.. always a worrying sign in terms of lifestyle etc... guys and girls hanging on in RHS to wait for LH Command

I think the lifestyle ends up being heavily influenced by relative seniority. For example, 10 years in, LH FO will be above half way on the fleets FO list, and therefore pretty much getting the rosters they want (forgetting final assign etc, but thats a whole other story). 10 years in as an Airbus Capt, would be towards the bottom still, especially at LHR, therefore getting very little of what they want.

BA also has different pay scales for long haul and short haul. So the pay differential at 10 years would be circa £18k, but a difference in allowances. So say £15k. After tax (at 40%, ignoring the 100k issue) £173 per week, before factoring in possible increases in childcare costs, petrol, etc etc.

I personally would put that application close to the top after hearing that. If a new fresh faced F/O is motivated and focused on achieving their command from day one, then they should be light years ahead of their peers when it comes to preparation, once a potential command course is on the horizon.

Could not agree more. I thought all airlines were looking for potential future commanders. Sad to read this.

I met a 73 skipper who got his command at 1600tt

Wrong. If you had ever flown with 200 hr F/O's who from day one aspire to be Cpt's, you would know why.

A 200 hour F/O aiming to be the best bloody F/O in the airline is a completely different beast, and would be most welcome in any airline worth their salt.

One need to know the place to be and how to do the assigned job before progressing. The job of a F/O and the job of a Cpt is different.

Is there such a thing as a 200hr F/O who doesn't want to be a captain? Surely, if such a person exists, they should be encouraged to see their potential.

The old fashioned dinosaur who is suggesting that it's wrong to want a command are exactly the sort of person who caused TFN for KLM, or any other situation where the grumpy old captain has oppressed the F/O because he didn't deem them to be worthy.

They ought to be ashamed.

I think it is worth differentiating between a F/O who thinks they are ready for the LHS when they are not and a F/O who wants to be ready for the LHS and is keen to develop. Managing the former is naturally challenging but it's certainly not impossible to help influence a change of mindset, from the former to the latter. I used to be a trainer in a couple of previous companies and I always enjoyed non training flights with young new F/Os, who were already released to the line but were still keen to learn and push themselves further, rather than simply doing what was expected, despite still being a competant F/O.

completely agree, massive shame. When I joined my first airline it was discussed also. Sets clear career progression and was told during the process they were looking for people who would make command one day. Cant believe someone would be rejected for being keen and asking those sort of questions. May be best he didn't get in, surely wouldn't be able to handle the sky god mentality

The airline doesn't have a sky god mentality. They were recruiting low hour FO's who were keen to build up experience and knowledge before progressing.
It may have something to do with the eagerness with which this candidate asked his first and only question. Successful candidates asked about salary, basing, time spent away from base etc, before asking the time to command question.

He was perceived as having the wrong priorities. From several hundred original applicants, they were looking for a small final number. The airline could afford to be choosy.

My own airline promoted low hour FO's to the LHS.
Three hours after completing his final command check, one was seen wandering around Tescos in full Captain's uniform.
Might have been worse I suppose, could have been Poundland ... or Weatherspoons..