Topslide
You are mostly correct about the AQC. Apart from the fact that if the airline don't want you after the 6 months, CTC say they will place you with the next available airline. I believe the chances of getting a job are significantly higher on the CTC route. I am also told by someone who has done it that after the 6 months you go onto full FO pay and not a reduced salary (it's different for those that came straight from uni. ab-initio)
There is always the possibility that you could not make the grade and lose your £6.8k at any stage from the AQC, during the TR or during the line experience.
I realised the point of the original thread and suggest that stanleystansted and anyone else looking into a SSTR should look into CTC before committing to the SSTR route.
SW