Just to clarify, and sorry if I am being a little thick here, is that 12k cash up front, ie you take out your own loan (if needed) in your own name? Or is it a loan in Eastern's name, but you make the payments from your salary?
With the former one would be concerned about any airline going bust leaving you with, let's face it, not the most prolific of ratings in the UK on your license, and a debt of up to twelve grand.
Presumably a F/O salary on a turboprop with Eastern isn't anything special either, I would guess at low twenties, am I right?
I agree, it all sounds a bit steep to me. Supply and demand I suppose, and once again the pilot's the victim of the market.