BACON / OS were never part of the LHR mainline operation... When CF were taken over / bought we took all their pilots I believe without "selection". Unless we did, we could not have maintained their operation ex-LGW.
The difference between OS and others listed (BACON/CF/Dan-air/Bcal) is the fact that BA directly recruited all 25 of the pilots it recently made redundant in late 2007/early 2008 - OS itself didn't really exist until summer 2008. BA used its own experienced pilot recruitment team, HR people, etc. Selection was all run by BA and the only exception to the current DEP criteria was the 20 minute computer testing and written maths/verbal paper. A high percentage of their trainers had been TRE's or had held senior training management positions within mainline - all its pilots had been a known quantity from the start.
But, if my understanding is correct, it's instead OK for
unknowns to drop into your airline and to fly your aircraft when a schedule has to be maintained?