I refer to New Zealand Pilots as that is where I am from, that is where I did my training and that is where I was offered numerous 'jobs' after my training for no pay. I had a few friends who were forced to stay on the dole whilst working for apparently reputable firms for next to nothing as instructors, charter pilots etc. A Wellington based airline offered me an incredible deal where I could pay for a rating on thier aircraft and then 'purchase' hours of line flying to build my experience while working for them on night frieght. Jetstar NZ is a NZ company, it pays tax in NZ, pays people in NZD, based in NZ. It only uses an OZ AOC as this is part of the TTMRA, to save airlines from having to go to the expense of duplication. Jetstars pay is by no means the best, but as ever you have the choice to not work for them. Personally I feel that $15,000 signing on bonus, $65,000 per year basic for 65 hours per month and a guaranteed $10,000 bonus at the end of year one is not a bad deal and certainly a wage many would like to achieve. Mix that with short time to command, brand new aircraft and the bonus of living in NZ then I have to say the deal ain't bad. Sure if you join without a typerating the numbers suffer, but hey, don't join! Jetstar pay for uniform, crew meals, hotel accomodation during induction amongst other things unlike MANY low cost carriers in other parts of the world. You have to pay for your own Jepps and medicals but after you have 'claimed' that back from the tax man you are not any worse off.