Reasonable. I think the GM makes a good point that brand new players aren't really ready for a higher tier trainer, and I was able to get a decent tier 4 for a reasonable price early. However, it just seems like a completely overblown market just to hire staff. While getting a higher tier staff member should be an investment, my complaint is that it is ridiculous at the prices it takes, not for the best trainer with a great salary, but for a good trainer with a medium salary. To use a metaphor, a kid new to driving shouldn't be able to afford a Ferrari, it's too much car for him. However, if he wants to own a Mercedes he should have to save his money to afford a nice one at the market price, but the dealer is trying to tell the kid that Mercedes costs a half mil with no extras and that he should stick to his ford Pinto.
Adding just a few more staff to the market could move the needle a small amount without disrupting the balance completely, and newer players would have another avenue of improvement if that is the way they want to go. Lets face it, one of the most exciting moments in the BB week is checking for training pops, and here in the lower divisions where noobs come and go at an alarming rate could certainly use a little more excitement to convince them not to abandon their team.