I'm stunned. Just an observer no affiliation with CX but why in the world hire captains off the street? Are there not a suitable pool of F/O's with operational experience & qualification to become a commander?
Surely it would make more sense to upgrade and replace F/O's than it would to inject outsiders into leadership roles of which they have minimal experience. In fact, what this probably reveals is an impending lack of interest in the pilot profession altogether.
It would be wiser to entice "outsiders" into F/O & S/O positions with increased pay & benefits respectively.