I am incredulous. Do pilots really sit in the right seat with BA for 20 years before getting a command. I simply cannot believe that anyone would do this.
You're forgetting that there are a significant number of BA pilots who will have joined in their early twenties which means that they will achieve their first long haul command in their late thirties or early forties. I chose to leave a regional operator where I could have had a command for BA where I may never achieve a long haul LHS. I can honestly say, hand in heart, it was the best move I've ever made.