When 2018 started, we were very short on 1900 pilots sic and no online sic had their multi. They had to have captains like me fly as an sic on the 1900. I was still current, so it worked out for the company and it was a lot of fun flying the 1900 again.

But the reality is, upgrade to the 1900 can happen quickly and the company doesn’t want to be short staff again.
I think the multi rating reuqirement depends on you TT.