The company can no longer afford all these line check airmen. Way too expensive and inefficient.
The change from check airmen captains to first officers doing new hire evaluation flights has apparently been well received.
ALPA was asked about it and responded that nobody had mentioned it on the survey so that must mean the pilots are in favor.
Now management has found another way to increase efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Have you seen Captain Dickson's latest memo?
Line checks will now be done by specially qualified flight attendants.
But not gate agents. That rumor is false.