parkfell, probably the best post on this whole long saga where several posts are nothing but pure speculation. Agree about HR = Hardly Relevant.
BA did actually run a sponsorship around 1998 up to 9/11 (2001). As a theory instructor at the time I thought the better selection was the old British Midland, yes the majority of the BA were great but you had to question a couple of the selections for a number of reasons (obvious from week 1), they were often chopped during the course. Remember the BA flight engineers, a delight to instruct with their vast experience.
As somebody else with years of aviation experience stated at the end of day this sponsorship though welcome is still a lottery with no guarantees, I was there when BA cancelled a course 48 hours after 9/11.