I am not in any way an apologist for pilots paying directly for their ratings as distinct from any other way of paying. I have seen and been in airlines that did it all possible ways. Because they do get paid for by someone. In slower promotion, training pay, bonds, freezes on promotion, salary sacrifice. Someone, somewhere pays and you, the pilot, somehow bear that burden whether visible or not. The advantage that LCCs bring....and there are some.....is that they operate fewer types, so the training pipeline is less clogged and promotion is much faster. Yes, some will say the greater efficiencies in training mean that ratings should be "paid for". So be it. Work hard in your union, build the membership and negotiate. I'll buy the champagne when your hard work....thats HARD WORK....succeeds. I will be very happy to do that and wish you well.
Last edited by Captain Sherm; 18th May 2008 at 12:15.