BA put 200 hour guys on 777's last year - are we suggesting that BA (widely regarded as having one of the best ongoing training systems in the business) is making a huge mistake?
No they didn't. It is a requirement to hold a full unfrozen ATPL before you can be considered for a co-pilot's position on the 777 or 744. The ATPL is required for them to relieve the Captain as the commander when he is on rest in the cabin/bunk.
In the past, 200 hour "cadets" were recruited onto the 757/767 fleet (although this was stopped in 2003, I think). The only way for 200 hour guys to join BA currently is onto the Airbus fleet and until recently, the 737.