JW411
Why is it surprising?
Someone joining now at 25 will have a 40 year career. Assuming normal P1:P2 ratios, why would you expect to have more than half your career in the LHS, especially on LH?
Re your q about what things will be like in 17 years. I grant you than no one can predict any airline will survive, but if BA does survive (and I hope it does for my pension), I suspect that the conditions will be better/as good there than elsewhere in the UK/Europe.
Far from being discouraging, I would counter that with the growth in pilots within BA (3200 to 4000 in the last 5 years), in comparison to other 'legacy' carriers around Europe, things are looking quite hopeful. Sure, there are 'growing' pains with not enough pilots at present, but would still rather have that problem than the ones at Iberia and Qantas and ... and...