Al E Vator, what timeframe are you talking about with all this stuff? I've heard of a similar story to which you alluded to in your first post, but the version I was told involves the parties concerned getting stamped on pretty hard for it.
Certainly in everything I've heard about recruiting in recent times, the system is painfully straight as an arrow (just ask any Ansett driver - there are a lot with senior Captain mates that can't get through!).
Is getting tutored by your Captain father or friend really nepotism? There's a difference between you assisting someone, and you 'assisting' the system...
Lancer