Roomey its laughable that you think that knowing someone in said airlines will get you anywhere. The days of pilots being able to put your CV on the chief pilots desk are long gone. HR are a law onto themselves and seem to revel in their tests to find "the right person" Additionally in these days of PC any airline that doesn't follow a strict procedure opens themselves to all sorts of accusations of favoritism and thus potential lawsuits.
I can confirm though that the big yellow and blue boeing is not taking cadets at the moment but may possibly start rehiring in the new year. Thats a big if and I would assume that depends on how bad the market gets. As for BA well just look at the thread about the BA holding pool, speaks volumes that they are canceling sim tests in November/December and have admitted they are over crewed on some fleets.
By all means stay positive but please face reality that we are entering a severe downturn in the market with the UK's economy actually shrinking for the first time in 16 years. When you hit the market in 10 months from now you'll be yet another number added to the queue with nothing else to distinguish yourself from the rest of the zero to hero wannabes.
You may yet have to dust off the plans for the backup plan!