Hey Benji,
I had 6 days notice but I know some had more, some had even less!
To answer some PM's I have had as well, all the assessments happened in Dublin. Transport and HOTAC were all taken care of by EI. The assessments are usually over 2 days, interview and psych tests on Day 1 then if successful you get a call back for the sim at a later date. There is also a pre-employment medical at some stage.
As far as FO positions, I know initially they were after 16 for when they kick off at LGW in April and another 16 by then end of the year as they are intending to double the fleet based there. As far as I know at least 8 of these positions have gone already with further assessments ongoing each week. 4 guys were already Type Rated with a few hundred hours on type and another 4 from Oxford or FTE. Don't ask me why they are taking on non rated, inexperienced pilots when there are plenty of experienced guys out there already.
Must be Irish logic!
EH.
