I have no issue with bringing a newhire into the training dept if he/she is qualified and brings some great experience to the table. My issue is with limiting training dept positions to FLL FO's. This eliminates some people before they even apply. Also, while you are correct that this is a 121 airline, the fact is our operation is unique in some ways, and having an instructor that has flown in our operation for a number of years can be more beneficial to a pilot in training...at least that is my opinion, FWIW.

I will say though, I do think all of our current instructors do a fantastic job. Don't have a negative thing to say about any that I have come across.