Here, here standbyILS!,
You are completely correct.
If anybody would like to call the training dept at AEU in the search for line training, they will be told, without doubt, that it is not available through the airline on a commercial basis to self sponsored cadets.
Astraeus used to be the sole supplier of a limited amount of line training to Bond Aviation TRTO when they were sister companies - up until about 18 months ago. Any line training will, I believe, have been invoiced and provided to the student by Bond NOT Astraeus.
Since Bond and AEU split (approx. 18 months ago) Bond can request line training provision from AEU and subject to A) availability of training on the AEU line and B) the student passing AEU's OCC operator conversion course (including LPC/OPC SIM check and about 2 weeks ground courses) then AEU can provide LT to Bond as part of a reciprocal company agreement.
Bond has the contract to provide all of AEU's pilot training in terms of TRTO services/support and therefore it SHOULD be a reciprocal and successful arrangement.. as StandbyILS says that is a bone of contention with many at AEU at the moment... I will say no more.....
Also, any line training pilot that has sat in the RHS of an AEU aircraft through the above has done so following:
1) Passing an initial assessment to get onto a TR course with Bond (SIM assessment)
2) Passing the CAA approved B737/757 Tech ground school Course (3 Weeks) including a morning of CAA B737/757 tech exams
3) Passing the LST (Licence Skills test) at the end of the TR SIM course with a CAA appointed TRE (Type Rating Examiner)
4) Successfully completed Base Training with a CAA appointed base training captain (TRI (A)) in the aircraft to a good standard
5) having his/her full training file audited and assessed by the training management at AEU prior to acceptance - perhaps the best assessment for any pilots position, a detailed history of the pilots basic training and a full breakdown and write up of the 6-8 week TR course.
6) Passing the AEU OCC course including a further LPC/OPC with an AEU (CAA authorised) TRE, successfully.
7) a 5yr reference / criminal reference check and subsequently been issued a full BAA ID airport security pass
and will once cleared onto the line only be rostered to fly with AEU training captains (TRE's/TRI's and LTC's) and for at least the first 10 sectors with a safety pilot / FO as a third crew member sitting on the jump seat.
and Most importantly is there because more than anything else he or she WANTS to be there, has asked to be there and has demonstrated their ability and comitment to doing so having jumoed through all the above hoops.
None of the pilots in the RHS at AEU in the last 3 years will have paid AEU for their LT. Possibly to Bond, but it is Bond marketing the product and dealing with the pilot commercially not AEU. AEU and Bond had a good working relationship (until recently!) which worked in favour of both parties, simple as that.
You can argue until the cows come home about whether or not it is right to pay for TR's or indeed LT. The fact is the airlines want TR pilots but many are not prepared to pay for TR's and many cadet pilots want to fly jets because they want to progress quickly to a decent salary and are not type rated. Demand = Supply!
Whether it is Bond via AEU, EagleJet via Royal Air Maroc, Pegasus TRTO and Airlines , Sigmar via MyTravel or anyone else it will continue as long as pilots want it in my view..