It's a sensible decision to go long haul, not so sure about the equipment - an a330 would have done but then how would u compete product and capacity wise with the big boys?
It's all about the interline agreements which the have with Kenya airways, Qatar, and delta?? I stand to be corrected.
And as far as young pilots, I'm one of their original young recruits so I'd have to say they should continue to do this, but obviously with stringent recruiting excercises to avoid any slip ups...
good luck to them, i think they'll give arik a real run for their money...