a focused mindset and normal training (which has improved immensely in QF) is all you need for a successful transition!
In my opinion it would be a good thing to once again allow vertical promotion as there are a lot of highly experienced people who have been Rinned
Well given the current high rate of SO->A330 FO training failures it would appear that the normal training is not quite cutting it.
On the subject of rinned pilots, they are not effected by vertical promotion restrictions. The TCAM states;
To be eligible for the rank of A380, B747 or B787 First Officer, the pilot must have operated as a First Officer on another Company aircraft e.g. B737 or A330.
So if they have been demoted from FO previously then they will not be prevented from promoting to the 787,747 or 380.