No, IROs are there as a required crewmember. This kind of statement is exactly why this profession is going downhill. You can't even respect those that are a necessary part of your crew. An IRO spends just as much time in the seat as an FO. Before I bid to CA I first bid high time turns as an FO and if I couldn't hold that I bid IRO. Same 11 hour turn and same pay. That is the part you don't get.

It is about days OFF and nothing more.

Well, since you are still ONLY an FO and if we fly together I'll just let you be a gear thrower. Because if an IRO is just a babysitter. Your nothing but a CAs puppet. Thank goodness I'm not either one of those anymore. Because in your eyes YOU and the IRO simply aren't needed. BTW, did you do the walk-a-round?