Laterals are not hired because it costs more in wages. It's that simple. I came on the dept as a lateral and after 8 weeks was put in a car and put to work. I made it through 30 years and had no problems. The job is not that hard and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to do it. Just plain common sense. You can hire a new person off the street at a lot less and give them a lot less. Laterals are give time in wages for their experience and the city doesn't want that. Nor does the command want someone