No bolt I didn't make captain in the airlines however I have too much command time in part 135 piston and turbine twins. Your point??

My idea isn't new. Overseas airlines like Cathay and JAL have cadet programs that are similar in nature. Even UAL in the 80's set up an entry level flight academy in anticipation of a pilot shortage that never materialized. While at Horizon Air I met a new hire who had the bare FAA 141 minimums of 190 hours in actual airplanes and he did just fine. I think it is more than possible.

A part of the reason that captains get paid more is that they might have to do a little OJT at times. The FO is there to, in part, build experience under the guidance of a more experienced crew member. Sometimes it is the FO who informs the captain of recent changes to operating procedures since they just got out of training.

SkyHigh