The premise behind the current system is something that is definitely needed: an incentive for training. If everyone got CPC pay as soon as they walked in the door, why would anybody want to check out quickly? As a trainee, you get to bid developmental schedules, you aren’t forced to work OT (or at least less often than CPCs), and it’s easier to get spot leave approved. Without some type of incentive, it may actually entice people to drag training out as long as possible which only hurts the workforce farther.
That being said, nobody should be graduating from the Academy and then making LESS than the national average salary, which is unlivable in many cities. The current 5-tier AG to CPC system is over complicated and flawed.
I would say just start everyone at 80% CPC base pay, and then you get the remaining 20% after checking out. So if your CPC base is $120,000, you make $96K the day you walk in the door, which is enough to make ends meet, and when you CPC, you get a $24,000 raise which is still enough of an incentive for people not to drag their feet.