JP73, I largely second what you say. There seems to be a middle ground for the FOs which is when they are already not cadets, but nowhere near command yet. And some airlines seem to leave those guys out for the aforementioned reasons. Of course, not always, as you do need senior FOs to run flight operations properly (for example, who's going to fly with the junior Captains if all FOs are cadets?). But every now and again there are such episodes, especially with airlines who have a vested interest in selling their candidates certain type rating courses.