Nah, don't even think of Drover. It's too strong. Condor is all right carrier start. Yeah, it's not the best but neither is Lasher/Wolf/Monitor a best frigate.
Hmm, I suppose. Especially with a multiple-ship start, it could be a good pickup.
... the Monitor might be a good grab for escort.
Yep, especially if you'll allow to take a destroyer sized 3rd ship to it (though would be nice if you added an option to not take 3rd ship in exchange for cash or something?). Actually monitor & condor sounds like a good combo.
Well, I won't be giving the player the option to say "Nah, don't give me this ship option, I'll take some extra cash/reputation instead". That's not what I want to be doing: I want those additional bonuses to tie in with the ships they pick.
In other words, just because you have to pick a ship of some kind at every stage, doesn't mean you're missing out on other benefits. Don't forget the current version of BB gives you the option to start as a "Successful smuggler", piloting a Cerberus and with a load of extra cash. Everything will (hopefully) tie together.