PinHead, I'm not aware of any bid anomolies. Id be interested to know what they were if you could PM me. No worries if not.
Recruitment is expected to be an annual event purely to correct natural wasteage. Not many leave though so don't expect record recruitment campaigns. I'd guess at 10/year until retirements kicks in, 2016 onwards.
Lead, correct, commands will be on the 73, starting 2015 I believe. However, some folk might gamble and wait for seniority for a 787 command. Its quite risky though at our company as plans change so often.