stansdead,
The most likely route is you'll be asked to compete one six month sim with the company, once you have proven yourself there and with a good track record through line training your base Capt may put you forward for command assesment, which may take a few months in it's self. So i'd plan on 6 mths to 1 year.
I've lost count of our fleet its growing so fast! According to jethros we have another 118 Airbus orders PLUS 88 options on the Airbus. New bases are planned.
The future Captains have to come from some where!