Neville,
You sure those blokes you are referring to aren't cadets. There are FO's on the 767 who joined a long time after 2000, however they joined with several thousand total mostly command.
Is there something I am missing in the certified agreement which allows guys with decent experience to circumvent the seniority system? Perhaps a poorly advertised Direct Entry FO Scheme? Not sure if you are making a point re : opportunity, motivation or neither...
VI