Creating a situation where an airline pilot is working for a pittance having funded his/her own training is hardly ideal for the pilot. It is, of course, good for the bean counters.
My view is that these financial 'deals' are just another form of commercial pressure (to add to all the others) on today's airline pilot. It must make the job more onerous.
Could it be a safety problem?
Well, we will see. However, if there is ever a public enquiry following a major airline accident involving one of these poorly paid pilots then the issue will surface prominently.
'First Officer Bloggs had flown 99 hours in the previous 28 days. At the time the aircraft left the runway he had just completed his fifth sector at the end of a 7 day roster pattern. First Officer Bloggs had previously been the subject of criticism within the crewing department for refusing to operate the aircraft into discretion. The enquiry considers that this subtle pressure may have influenced his decision to operate when he was probably in a fatigued state'
'First Officer Bloggs had agreed to have the cost of his type conversion training deducted from his first six months salary. As such he was only being paid £2.00 per flying hour. This meant a maximum gross monthly pay of £200.00. The Enquiry noted that he was heavily in debt at the time and was unable to afford accommodation in the Heathrow area. Thus he was in the situation of commuting daily from his sisters house on the south coast. This daily journey involved a round trip commute of 4 hours.'
'The Enquiry recommends that airline pilots are paid in accordance with the national minimum wage. It further recommends that airlines are required to fund and provide their own type conversion courses.'