Montencee you conveniently left the fact he also went on to say
"We never rule these things out, but we don't anticipate taking anyone on directly as a captain," says Stealey. However, promotion to captain tends to be rapid for candidates with the experience and ability.
At the end of the day its a business solution, ground hundred of millions of dollars worth of aircraft or piss off a few staff
we all know which solution they took.