Pornstar,
I have worked for Cook's for 5 years. I know the difference between fact and rumour.
We have loads of guys in the RHS ready for Command, but the company are trying to shaft us SFO's out of our commands in order to have temporary summer captains that they can then get rid of in winter, hence saving tuppence ha'penny.
There has been NO EXPANSION for five years, hence no commands and very little recruitment.
YOur assertion that if the LHS needs filling, then the RHS does too is just plain wrong I am afraid.
I would be careful what you say surrounding a very very sore subject unless you know what you are talking about.
If you are in the holding pool, I would ring up and ask when your course date is. My bet is not this year.....
Time to command? 12 years and rising.
A really unhappy place to work currently.