Funky and Luke, you want to enter a very demanding, stressful, tiring and rewarding industry. You are expected to use a large amount of common sense, be self reliant, use your intelligence.
If I have seemed rude to either of you, then your mistaken, I simply pointed out some facts. Harsh they may seem to be, but that's life.
British Airways, have been very clear in their requirements, if you are unsure you should use all the tools availble to you, contact the Recruiter, look at links they give you and contact said organisations. Asking this question on a rumour network is not the best use of your time.