over a barrel - Idioms - by the Free Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
That is what I meant by being bent over a barrel.
To quash another myth - plenty of CTC integrated cadets had previous careers and most are older than 19 - off the top of my head there was a doctor, a lawyer, engineers, estate agents, military officers, police officers, Architects, bankers, sales people, rampys, red caps, IT consultants, Air Traffic Controllers and so on.
I'd say 80% had degrees.
On my course the age range was 22-32.
As I understand it the people who have subsequently joined up, knowing that flexicrew would be the way forward and without unsecured borrowing are generally younger and have a less varied background.
The purpose of my posting really is to cut the emotion from some people's post. Certain 'adjectives' are surplus to requirements.
Anyway, join this at your own risk. You know how it is now. If you do decide to join up remember what CTC took such great pleasure in telling us - don't blame and don't complain.
And as a captain taught me on my very first day released to line - if in doubt, there's no doubt.