Anytime you deal with your employer about something as serious as this, even leave etc PUT IT IN WRITING. Email is great because it is time stamped, however a sent email does not mean it was received.
the debt recovery agency hits them with an extra $3000 or so of fees, because the pilot failed to show up to court and/or respond to the debt collection agencies letters.
If you have not been SERVED with a letter of demand then you cannot be "fined" an extra $3000. Just because a company sends you an invoice does not mean you are legally required to pay it.
The debt collection company cannot add money to a debt because you did not show up in court, the court could impose the penalty but only if you had been summonsed to appear.
Spend $200 and get some legal advice.
I know of one MFO who told his own bonded pilots not to worry when they left as the bond was legally unenforceable!
Come up with a payment plan, how about $20 a month for the next X years?
