P-T-Gamekeeper - sadly, there is rarely much evidence of any preparation! If you apply for the job, at least put a bit of effort into it, otherwise it is a 12 month wait and a 100+ places further down the seniority list. It is unfortunate that some good people have lost out because they haven't practised their times tables, or bothered to look at the BA website (CEO's name, T5, operating margin/ profits, share price, etc...) or this thread.
To put it bluntly - don't think that BA owe you a job just because you've got an ATPL. However, if you've done your homework, there is a job for you!