LMAO.. I already have a big comfy set of kneepads... Fortunately coz I was doing a fair bit of carpet fitting in my house and not for any other reason!!!
Rushes (slight topic change soz..)
I agree with you on the gratis hours and buggering off scenario (We have that problem in IT with training) and in an industry as small as the helicopter industry is, it must be tantamount to career suicide...
If it is a problem, why do you not include in the employment contract, that all hours taken as gratis (different from working on type) are fully payable back to the company within 6 months of having been taken? It would only be similar to a bond contract but for a much shorter period ensuring the kindly employer would not lose out.
I would sign up for that in a heartbeat.. It is a standard in the industry I am leaving and I would be happy because my employer would be investing in me and my career goals with a very low return possibility..
SL