I would not recommend that anyone 'holds' out for a course at a later day for two reasons. Firstly requirements change especially in October this year as the new age legislation is coming into effect and I doubt much training will be going on over this period until numbers of pilots staying on after 55 is known. Secondly in British Airways seniority is key to everything that effects your working life. Between now and October you could find yourself 50 - 60 places lower down the list than you otherwise could of been. In the past when things were very stagnent this could easily translate into an extra 2-3 years for command, fleet change etc.. My advice for BA is get in as soon as possible on whichever fleet you will not lose anything by doing this, when I go to longhaul in 18 months time I will join above all of those who have joined direct into longhaul for the past 18 months because seniority is key. Only my thoughts, hope it all works out.