Several questions appear to remain unanswered, without going back through the thread I will attempt to carry on where BP left off...
In the past Eagle has employed 400hr CPL's with a brand new I.R. Most of these joined the bottom of the seniority list at a time when the Majors were stagnant and there was little movement. Buy the time their number came up for a command they had plenty of time on type and total time. The important thing they had or did was to know the boss or one of his mates, or be able to push his buttons.
About 1/2 a doz have achieved this in the last 10 years or so don't rely on this method.
In times of rapid movement in the industry or when there is a surplus of applicants, the bar is raised. The sights are focused on those who can slot into the left seat sooner rather than later. Eagle is not in the business of employing career co-pilots. (although they have managed one or two!)
The trip to Toronto for the Sim training costs the company between 20 and 25k so don't blame them for wanting to find out if you can fly straight and level in the Ardmore trainer before you go.
The head shrinking stuff is done by an outside contractor and is hopefully to weed out those with issues going on (possibly regarding sim instructors/partners or having to sit in the right hand seat with that senior Eagle Captain that wouldn't be able to pass the current interview process).
There will always be an element of "who you know" those that publicly vent their bitterness will ultimately get a name for themselves and despite possibly being very good operators, may miss out simply because they opened their mouth at the wrong time in front of the wrong person. (the fat chick you bag at the christmas do might just be the Chief pilot's wife!).
The 1900 isn't the space shuttle but it can get busy, if you can't show the company that you are capable of being disciplined then you won't get a look in.
Eagle doesn't owe anyone a job, if someone you know gets in and you haven't yet, don't abuse them, rather pick their brains.
The biggest thing not to do is catching S.A.R.S in Toronto and giving it to your training captain!