Let me give you an example of how this abuse is controlled within the railway industry. There's no shortage of people wanting to train as train drivers either. It costs well over £30k to train an intercity high speed train driver, but you don't see firms offering train type ratings and line training joy rides with the promise of some kind job offer. Why? because the industry is regulated and the unions, upon learning about any such notion, would cripple this country.
As an instructor for train drivers the rot has started to creep in. Potential trainees are paying for the psychometric tests that every driver is required to pass, before they apply to companies. It is nowhere near the amount for a TR but the companies lap it up by claiming it shows commitment. It probably saves them a few hundred quid for each applicant who reaches that stage.
The true costs of training a driver ab initio are closer to £100k when salary and all costs are factored in.
Me, I'll stick with the PPL and enjoy it.
