Todders, its sounds as if you have a difficult decision. To shed some light on the current bmi situation, I recently asked for a friend who is ex- XL. He has 3500+ almost all jet, 2300 hrs heavy jet 767, the rest 737. He is obviously not type-rated, but to most operators would be considered a very low training risk. The response was that in the current economic climate, it is better for the company to work its existing pilots harder [even to the extent of buying days off from them], than to take on more pilots. At present both pilots and cabin crew are at fairly low levels. [Quite a few of both are now part-time]. I was told clearly that it will stay like that and be reviewed in the spring at the earliest. I would not hang around for a promise....but it is your decision dependent upon your situation.
IMHO, the company is trying its best to show other parties that it makes 'x' revenues/profits- losses with a view to major strategic change in the not too disant future. Having been in your position, I don't evny you especially in todays economy.
Take any job, any where, for a reasonable amount of money -fly anything!
The very best of luck to you.
ST