I was doing the Aerlingus assessment last year, there were up to 4000 candidates fighting for the 100 places.. So chances are not always 50/50, sometimes they are closer to 0. I made it to the top 300, I thought I did really well, but they still didn't invite me to the last stage. Such is life. Ireland being a small country, I knew a lot of people who also were trying but failed at one stage or another. (Actually I don't know anyone who made it, sometimes this makes me wonder if there ever were the 100 places in the firs place). All of us are flying for different airlines now, some in Sobart, some in Logan air, Flybee, Ryanair, Airbaltic etc.