It seems as if the current demand for pilot recruitment is not being met by the supply of DEPs, SSPs and ex forces. The following is an extract from a letter to all pilots from the GM Resourcing and Strategy last December. Bear in mind the plan constantly changes, but nonetheless, the last line will be of interest to cadet wannabes. Please don't ask me questions as I have no more particular knowledge on the subject. Good luck though!
It is worth looking at BA’s fleet plans over the next year to dispel any
concerns you might have about your employment security or career
opportunities within mainline. At London we are embarking upon a period
of significant growth. Between January 2009 and April 2009, BA will take
delivery of 4 B777-200s and from August 2010 to February 2011, we will
see the arrival of the first 6 B787-8s. All of these aircraft are ‘growth’ hulls
and represent approximately 180 extra BA pilots on the master seniority
list. With part time working opportunities factored in (of which we have
received 128 bids in the current Priam round) and modest turnover
assumptions, we anticipate a level of recruitment that will exceed 150 in
the next financial year. Our future projections show that this will be the
minimum level of recruitment required in subsequent financial years. To
fund this recruitment, we will be evaluating a new ab-initio training
programme to guarantee supply of some of our pilot need.