Fwiw...back in 2006-7 we had 2-3 year guys hold Capt in Hong Kong. Wide-body, international and living in a foreign domicile. They seemed to do just fine, but like Delta the approach here was always to hire capts. Some of those folks came from regionals, and others from the military. They seemed to do fine.

At our company, some of the guys who struggle the most are those who camp for decades in the right seat and quit thinking like captains. Being more worried about getting frequent flyer miles than landings has burned a few too. When I was hired at JetBlue in 2002 upgrade to left seat was 8 months. I never went, but an F-15 contemporary with no 121 and low GA experience did just fine.

I know a couple guys in the DAL training program. They were awesome people and pilots in a former life, and I am sure they will do their best to train folks. I also know they wouldn't pass anyone who shouldn't be there...

I expect on our next bid we will have some good movement. I do not begrudge anyone who took less time to get to the left seat than I did, because it means seniority is getting better for everyone. Jealous someone is making good coin? More money is just a training cycle away...