I don't work there, BUT from a strictly numbers point of view here is how my math sees it.
3300 Pilots (give or take)
About Half are Capts (1500)
About Half are FOs (1500)
Relief Pilots (300)
If big Red has hired 150 to date (thereabouts) a new hire last summer is only in the bottom 5% of the seniority list.
While it may be very possible to go FO on the 320, I have trouble seeing anyone go captain in 2 years time, give it till 2010. This doesn't consider the reality of people bidding on certain equipment for either lifestyle or base but...
Again, I don't work there, but it would be sweet to be capt in 5 years!!!
Regards,
Neo