Thanks chaps for those that are supportive. To the Longhitters of the world, what can I say? Nothing at all.
My case is laid out, and for some it appears all too much to read. Actually Stan Woolley has said it all far better than I have in a sentence - "Even good guys new on a type will need a while to get comfortable. IMO". Much more succinct than me and absolutely correct. Anyway, that's it from me on this one - thanks for the discussion. Best of luck to those trying to get permanent jobs at easyJet, which is what this was all about in the first place.