His dudeness:
We have no way to know what kind of knowledge the TO already has, he might be even a fake. But if he is for real, I think his approach is a very very sensible one. I certainly would like to work for someone who listens to people with experience and is apparently not a 'know it all'...
Exactly right!
Aren't we getting a bit off topic here?
Trying to find
the perfect airplane is impossible. It alway will be a compromise.
It's equally rocket science to employ the right people. Do you organize a huge assessment center 'event' or just invite a handful of reasonable looking individuals and then listen to your gut feeling?
And choosing the right management company (if at all) is yet another question...