That shouldn't be necessary because as far as Airbus are concerned it's just a CCQ. Maybe it's a BA thing.
Permafrost, be under no illusions that you are the exception rather than the rule. You have been very lucky (and I am very jealous). There are loads of hold poolers with the requirements for long haul who have been told they're not going to get the slots, whilst the company go the whole hog with roadshows in Hong Kong and Dubai looking for Type Rated candidates from Cathay, Emirates and the like. The reasons for this can be debated (short haul in desperate need of bodies) but that is clear proof that the Type Rating is currently favoured above all else. Virgin are no different, as are any other company in this day and age.
Anyway how did this become a conversation about BA? Back to Virgin...