I am rated and experienced and have been in the interview hold pool for over 2 years! I was hopeful earlier this year when I heard that they were going to be badly short this summer due so many crew leaving! I have a couple of mates there so was quite hopeful but since then it's become apparent that the shortfall is being covered by Oxford cadets! In fact a few weeks ago I bumped into 2 such lucky cadets at CAE Fleming Way. They were doing a 320 rating!
Anyway, I managed to secure a job with another UK Airbus airline to start in a few weeks so I've now given up with Monarch.
Good luck to all.