Thank you for the info, it's very helpful if a little frustrating to hear!
I'm not sure that this 'agreement' is reciprocal, however there is not much traffic flow the other way to test this.
What does gripe me is that I now appear to have someone else dictating to me what I can and can't do with MY career. I may not be selected at the end of the day but I do want a fair chance at it. Grumble over. Them's the breaks. Further investigation needed.
Does anyone have a contact number or email to the Pilot Recruitment Team that I can politely enquire to? It's always worth asking, (confirming!)
Many thanks,