Thank you people, your posts confirmed my suspicion that my illustrious MGT's is being economical with the truth when claiming that this type of bonding is nowadays widely spread and accepted.
And now to some fan mail.
Where is this third world outfit?
Europe. Yes, there are countries in Europe that don't comply with the second world standards.
Are you sure it's a "flag" carrier ?
We're state owned, have the same name as the country and the supervisory board is a bunch of pollitically selected... individuals, who were unable to guess the exact number of aeroplanes in the fleet, when asked by local economics weekly (it was eleven). I guess I'm sure.
To be fair, if the employer forks out and then the new Cpt does a bunk to another airline then its a bit unfair on the company, especially if its an early Command.
True. However, I'm not sure it's applicable to my situation: 8 years with the company, 4000TT. Unable to move elsewhere due to passport, which makes some overzealous visa officials ask straight faced: "Sir, have you ever commited a war crime or know someone who did?"
Generally speaking, an employer is not legally allowed to bond for more than the actual cost of what they're offering you
We're renewing the fleet so training is included in the price of the new aeroplanes. I don't think that manufacturer gives price breakdown that would show how much pilots' trainning actually costs. And my company doesn't call it "bond". The term used is "contractual penalty".
I'd suggest also that the 5 years and non-reducing bond in the circumstances are also a dodgy ask legally. You need to talk to a pilot union or a local employment lawyer to check
My union's lawyer suggested me to sign the contract now and complain later. The union board basically said that we're on our own and it won't interfere. They felt offended when I labeled them as corrupt.
You call that an offer you can't refuse!
I've used the term advisedly, having Marlon Brando in mind. It wasn't an offer, it was a directive. Despite me telling the head of training that terms of contract are grossly unfair and that I won't sign it, my wife was informed by the telephone that her husband's training starts in a month. My cellphone was switched off because I was flying at the time. Also my name didn't appear on 6-months OPC roster. Currently it seems that MGT counts on giving me the trainning now and forcing me into signing the contract later.
If you have a contract and seniority for uprgradings and the bond is not in the contract there should not be any.
We have abolished seniority 2 years ago. What little has been left of collective agreement is constantly being trampled by MGT and my fellow pilots have taken the stance: "We're doing fine, they haven't started beating us yet."