I got a phone call last week asking if I would be available for a course that might start on 26th April. I had been in the holding pool since Feb 2007. During that time I had managed to meet a lovely lady, have one daughter, and have another on the way. Needless to say my priorities have changed and I couldn't believe that I found myself turning down a job that I had dreamt of for years. I'll stay in my secure, well paid, mon-fri, relatively dull job but will make up for this with having a stable roster and seeing my kids grow up.
Good luck to bmir, they certainly came across very well whenever I dealt with them. Good luck to all those lucky souls that find them on a course soon. There is hope out there and patience will pay off if you're in the pool.