Just remember that small GA companies are where lots of you guys get your start
The fresh CPL pilot versus small GA company is a classic symbiotic relationship. The relationship is a mutually dependent one.
The 'applicants' need hours in their logbooks and the GA operators require pilots to fly their aircraft. If the new starts manage to bypass this first step, ie. cadetships etc, the GA operator suffers.
If the GA operators go out of business, the new starts that don't take the cadet option or want to travel the GA road (character building stuff), have no means of gaining the elusive 500 multi.
From my experience a good GA operator will keep a pilot for 1 - 2 years, sometimes longer, before they are ready to take the next step. The pilot moves on with fond memories (hopefully) of their time at the company and the company has had 1 - 2 years of good service.
It is a fine balancing act and either party can abuse the process.
Ps.. in 7 years of GA, I never had to wash a car.
