As someone who trains these BA cadets post licemce, I have to say to VREF+50 that they are on the whole far better than the average GA pilots you seem to think they are. Their training requires them to attain higher standards than the CAA/JAA require throughout their training and a BA cadet with 200 hours and a Jet orientation Course behind them will normally be a damn sight more professional and able than a 400 hrs+ self sponsored bloke.
SS did not need his/her head ripping off - he/she asked for advice and got abuse, so give it a rest guys.
SS - stick with it. My brother was in the same boat as you post Gulf war - he had to wait but BA came through and he is now a B777 FO. you could try applying to the likes of GO and easyJet (although they probably want rated blokes). I know EZY have taken direct entry, unrated guys in the past so you may be lucky. Back in the early 90s BA were happy to release people who were offered jobs form their "bond" so again, may be worth a go applying eleswhere.
You could just get hold of the Yellow pages and dad phone - and work your way through them all. Also, it only costs pennies to send a CV and covering letter. Don't be afraid to apply for jobs for which you don't meet all the asking requirements - it's worked for me in the past.
Good luck.
By the way - how is my old mate Jim Barrowman getting on at WMU? He seems to have lost the ability to reply to e-mail (maybe too disorganised?).