MAX and co,
Heard from a management pilot, allbeit at the end of last year, that he felt that any direct entry F/O as opposed to an S/O, should be able to bid for a command within 3 years.
Heard last week, that there are plans to recruit "between 80 and 100" during this summer. Direct entry commands IMHO must still be on the cards therefore. Especially as you say MAX, with the CSB knocking back so many, or so it seems. There also still seems some reluctance for senior F/O's to want to leave longhaul, Hadj flying etc.
So should be jobs there somewhere, just hang on guys and girls, they are severely stretched in most of the admin depts it would seem, at the moment. Good people there though, so they will get to you eventually.
Good luck,
BB