Over the past 12 months I have met a few pilots waiting for SO slots. 2 of these guys have over 1000 hrs jet time (B777, A330, or MD time I think...) PLUS over 5000 hours of experience with thousands of command experience on lighter turbo props. They passed the 2nd stage SO interview over a year ago.
So, hurry up and wait it seems. CX may find themselves short of guys on that illustrious hold file "if" such pilots get tired of waiting and take a DEFO job with another carrier instead of SO with CX. But to be honest, I can't see that happening. Sign of the times.