Jambone is correct- it is out of order to exploit the hopes and wishes of people keen to get into aviation (although publishers do it to authors as well), especially when the fees concerned are tax deductible for the company anyway. Some airlines are not even paying pilots until not only have they paid for their type rating, but their OPC and line training as well.
Why is this happening? Because there is always somebody willing to accept it. My stepdaghter recently went through £50,000 worth of training for the insurance industry with no question of paying it back if she leaves or gets pregnant - they simply assume that her replacement will have had similar training elsewhere in the industry.
As a Chief Pilot I have never (and will never) take on pilots who offer to work for free or contribute to their training, as it represents a potential self-esteem problem. I want people with the confidence to state what they are worth and behave accordingly. That's where Captaincy starts from.
Phil
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