I agree with Underdog - I joined BA as a DEP but took a hefty pay cut from a much smaller regional airline.
I threw away 6 years seniority and a good lifestyle to join BA in the hope conditions and pay would be better.
Conditions on mainline are good, roster stability is brilliant, but basic pay is cr*p.
I have plenty of friends who like me were messed around by BA for 2 years in the DEP hold pool (even re-interviewed) who when the offer eventually came turned BA down.
BA has a very arrogant attitude, they think they are better than everybody else, think pilots are queing up to join them, think they pay above average ......
BA will have to start offering qualified pilots something sensible if they hope to attract DEP's over the next few years ...