5star, I had my application in for 3 1/2 years. I was not pursuing the job for the whole period. I have heard, little as 3 months from submitting your CV till they contact you for the interview. Maybe others have been called sooner?
I was talking to one of the recruiter's while I was there for the interview and he said that pool is starting to dry up with guys that have good experience and as Bubair states "And most of the people who passed are not joining!!!". He mentioned 2000 pilots but most had no Boeing or Airbus time.