I know a few FAIPs still in, but had no idea that so many left.

Far as the PIC time, not sure I understand his intent either, but I'll make a stab at it. In 3 years of FAIPing I got 1500 hours, majority IP with the rest primary. No secondary, no other. Went MWS and upgraded through AC and IP quickly, minimized sec/other time. If you compared me to a homegrown guy, they spent the years I was logging IP time logging a lot of sec/other.

So it's not that FAIP PIC is better, you just get more of it faster.

Don't take anything what I said as a recommendation. I think there's huge benefit to being a Copilot and growing up in an airplane. I also think FAIPing solely to build hours in some ten year plan... I just don't think that leads to happiness.