OK. So here's the scoop on my experience
Applied for F/O Non Type Rated. Interview May 2012, end of July got put in the TALENT POOL, been receiving updates every few months like everyone else... the famous " our manpower requirements have not changed, we will keep you updated" and so on ... got a request for some hours updates also...
Anyways, a few weeks ago got a very short and cold email stating that the requirements criteria in the mean time have changed and i have been withdrawn from the talent pool and am no longer applicable. Probably because i am not type rated and so on... So over 1 and a half years of waiting results in a simple "sorry goodbye"
Point being... its clear they are taking only type rated guys at the moment, DO NOT put all your eggs in one basket and always have a plan B and C just in case...