As i mentioned on another thread, i have heard rumors from several different sources, none of which i would call an authority, that the DE captain issue is back on the table. Certainly they have gone a long way down the list to find 330 qualified guys who have accelerated command requirements.
Combine this with the problems in the training department, and it is feasible that DE captains may be looked at again to get TCK out of a bit of a bind.
Having said all that, I strongly suspect that it is probably all hysteria driven by the amount of F/O's that are currently being bypassed. I certainly hope so, as DEC's will alter the atmosphere here dramatically, and for some time.
DMF