Hi Speedbird,
An airline (regardless of which country) will almost always prefer people who are type rated over people who just hold a bare CPL. The simple reason is because a pilot who is type rated has a qualification that the airline desires.
When an airline is hiring they will always try to take the most qualified individuals.
Allow me to be blunt.
A large airline is like any other large corporation....they are cold and soulless.
They are a real business.
They are not aero clubs.....and they are most certainly not charities.
Speedbird....."fair" has nothing to do with it.
Eternity.