It is not strictly accurate what is being said here. The decision on where you get offered on the NEC scale is NOT based on how you got on during the assessment process. It is based on how many people are required and how many in a particular intake say 'Yes' or 'No'. It is perfectly possible that certain candidates were offered a different place on the ladder of recruitment - that is all down to how many pilots are required from each intake. It is straight supply and demand - nothing more and nothing less. As I have said before, if you do not like it then turn it down. Ultimately if enough people will turn them down then they will have to think again. If you can get pilots to work for you for £x.xx, why would you pay them £x.xx + £30k? Sorry to sound so mercenary but that is how the world works.
At the risk of sounding like a worn record, every single contract is permanent but has a probation period of a year. Just read the previously published details of the NEC to see what the deal is - there are no secrets. The only unknown is where you join in the 4 year scale and whether you get offered a 75% or 100% contract.