FlyingGreek
Exactly that. And the ATOs are complicit. The likes of AFTA, Aviomar, Bartolini Air, VA etc feed this scheme by recommending to their students to sign up for it. They do this knowing very well that there is a big chance these cadets will pay the 30K and will never be called up by Ryanair after the 6 month training contract is finished. Whether the ATOs involved get a kickback from RYR or do this to attract customers to their failing businesses we will not know, but they should at least be held accountable over time for not telling the full truth, creating false positives and neglecting their duty of care towards their students, thus pushing young people further into debt on the false promise of employment.
We all know that the more cadets get into debt to pay for the training, the more desperate they are to get a job and the quicker they will accept ultra-low terms and conditions to work. This in turn will be exploited by the airline to drive down the pay for established crew even further.
What we can do as an industry in order to keep the next generation of pilots out of harms way and to protect our own position is to stop recommending these ATOs for training. Some have build up a stellar reputation over the years but seem to have no qualms (mis)using that reputation in these difficult times to make an extra buck on the backs of the young people that in good faith trust their guidance. Hopefully in time these training organisations will come to the conclusion that the reputational damage inflicted by being associated with this scheme makes it not worthwhile being part of it.
For anyone considering to sign up for it, don't. Wait till RYR starts offering the bonded TR again, only then there is a guaranteed job with acceptable terms and conditions waiting for you after your initial 6 month training contract is over.