I think I'll leave it to LC to comment on recruiting..
As for personalities, I can't argue with someone's perceptions but I've always found the idea that there's a "BA type" or BA clone is a bit strange.
...
In the last 25 +years BA have recruited, on and off, from the military (from the fast jet/heavy multi-engined community/rotary), other airlines, had their own cadets and now have the FPP's coming on line....and from across many nationalities. At the crew bus stop on no particular day you could be stood next to the overweight 60 year old White male Captain arguing with his wife on his mobile, the 30 something female Captain trying to sort out childcare because of her August roster
, two Dutch First Officers discussing football, and the brand new freshly minted FPP on his/her first line trip. Yes there are still some PITA, but it's generally a pretty good mix - I suspect not much different to most other airlines.