Haven't posted in here for years...thought I'd add some advice for the aspiring DEP's...
My advice, and it is only my opinion so please hold fire on it and don't burn me at the stake just yet... join BA because it's something that you WANT to do. If money is your thing then yeah, as we know, you'll find that else in the world or perhaps with another airline that gave you free shares. Time to command? Stick with where you are now possibly?
Motivation will come in all different types and forms... and yes, they have recruited directly onto long haul, it happened last time they recruited and roughly 20/30 pilots went onto the 747... even though they weren't even rated on it. They are looking for Airbus pilots this time around though and me thinks they will go straight onto the Airbus right now...