Big Mike
I think that in reality, 2 years for the type rating is reasonable. It is a representation of how long it will take the company to earn that money by the work that you will do! Your conversion onto a Squirrel will obviously be much cheaper than a puma etc. however it will earn revenue at a slower rate. If you leave after a year, you still get a half price conversion.
My opinion is that a bond is acceptable for initial type rating with a company and for the initial instrument rating, however conversions after that should not be bonded. That has been the process with every company I have worked for and seems generally accepted.
Regards
TeeS