As far as upgrades. I do believe these upgrades are sort of the way ASA did it before. There was no need to upgrade but they put you through training to be a captain. Since most on this list are senior FOs who have a really good schedule, you are now a junior captain on reserve that the company uses in the right seat primarily.

Genius concept for the company. Show an upgrade time going down and get a schedule hogging senior FO back on reserve. Note all upgrades were on the 200. Which seat locks all these senior FOs and prevents them from occupying a 175 seat. Which also lets the 175 go junior appealing to new hires. Smoke and mirrors?

If the company has a net loss of first officers how does the math work to upgrade 30 or so captains?