A friend has advised me that the TCX flying programme for summer 2010 won't be completely finalised until late feb so they are realistically going to place every applicant in the holding pool until that sort of time.
it's not necessarily bad news, but probably quite hopeful news.
as for a pemanent contract.....99.9% unlikely, at least for 2/3 years depending oin where you end up based.
and as for the post about the nice trips....they are year round, not just in the winter, and dependant on requirements to crew the fleet so not necessarily a given if you work there.