I think you guys are correct (though I have no experience with it) re how the pay works.

That said, keep in mind, while you're on OE, you're sitting in the left seat, but you're not the A; you're still the B (the LCA is the A). If you don't believe me, check your flight time totals. Pretty sure you get paid at the new rate once you're done with training, even if that happens prior to your official conversion date.

I'd like to see the pay start as soon as you begin training, but, there is a consistency here and, ultimately, that's how the contract is written....