I've had an idea kicking around in my head for a while now, as an alternative to buying a Rhino and mining your first millions and I'd like some feedback before I go and make relevant RP posts about it.
Basically, it works like this. My Liberty based trader will sponsor new pilots, get them setup in a basic ship (Probably a Hawk<strike>, with the option of a Barracuda if the BHG agrees to let me have some</strike>) then hire them as escort pilots.
I'd then get them to accompany me on my usual routes to Brettonia and Kusari, paying them as we go. They'd come out of it wth the 2 mil or so so required to set up a basic mk 2 HF or a 500+ cargo freighter, along with a chance to ask whatever questions they had.
They'd have to earn their pay, dealing with whatever NPC pirates happened along although obviously I wouldn't put a Hawk up against a PC pirate (unless it was Sindroms in his Bloodhound:P)
I'd obviously get to cut down on the monotony that is trading whilst hopefully helping new players avoid some of the common early mistakes as well as leaving them better placed for their ongoing time in Disco,