SH command could be anything from 9 to 13+ years, difficult to tell as it's all about growth of the airline/the economy & retirements. It's still the best UK airline to work for, whatever seat you are in, IMHO of course.
BA recruitment strategy I am sure will be to get the type rated guys in first, then assess their needs and change the application criteria downwards from there. Why pay for full type rating courses when BA don't have to .... if I owned the company I would do the same!
from friends at FR, i think there will be alot of 737 pilots applying