What all prospective junior birdmen must bear in mind is that the industry still has lots of snake oil salesmen whose sole mission to tempt the unwary & naïve customers to sign on the line & part with their money.
Memories appear to be very short as to the treatment of L3 customers…
The standard advice remains:
1. Visit the ATOs & inspect the equipment
2. Speak with their customers out of earshot of staff/management. Speak with friends/colleagues etc who were students at the establishment. Would they recommend the ATO
3. If substantial up front payments are required and/or substantial discounts offered for doing so, run a mile
4. Obtain your Class one medical before signing any contract
5. As a whitetail expect to suck the hind tit. Airline students/tagged will always get priority.
6. Get the contract reviewed by a lawyer and ask for safeguards written into it. If the ATO decline to alter their ‘standard contract’, you aren’t that special. CAVEAT EMPTOR
Fundamental point to remember: ATOs are in business to make money & acceptable profit for the shareholders.