fairly certain the company has already compiled a list of the suitable SOs using information from when they joined. SOs simply putting their application in who don't meet the minimums won't achieve anything
Each person that applies will have to go before the selection board regardless. It's the contractural requirement. There are minutes kept of the review board, each person reviewed is on the agenda.
If they don't apply, the company will say in the future they had the opportunity but did not apply. They need to apply even if they know they will not get it, just to complete the procedure.
Look at your COS, CX only employs suitable officers via three means.
DEFOs can only be recruited after there is no more suitable SOs.
People applying to Hong Kong Airlines are experiencing over 6 month wait from CAD to get licence conversation terms. It will be 12 months before a DEFO will start line training if the SOs apply now for those positions.