@ RJ_Rantster.
As far as I know I am correct in saying that all you get is an invitation for a interview with BA. But I might be wrong, I haven't applied myself. Just hearsay.
Expect 26K for year 1 and then normal F/O scales. You are right in saying it doens't make sense that f/o's a couple years ago were bonded for 2 years on 24k and 28k.