Would people in the BA franchises not be the most likely candidates? Same job, different (better) T&C's and no worries about franchise renewal.
BA nowadays is not all its cracked up to be -- Not sure what you are getting at, talking about the franchsie renewal ? Why is this going to be such a big deal ? What's the worst that could happen ? These guys end up on the BA seniority list without having to put sticklebricks together and all that stuff !! BA will not allow BMed and GB to go it alone especially with them owning precious LHR slots - Imagine a GB - EZY/FR tie up -- Orange out of LHR ! BA would really enjoy that !
Just to add, GB recruits cadets from ab initio courses and seemingly will continue to do so for the future.