WWW - you are doing your tax return incorrectly. The tax man owes you money! You are not a 40% tax payer on a salary of £29,000. And remember, any money given to you by an employer will be subject to PAYE and NI, unless it is a business expense.
I don't know about others, but I couldn't sleep at night with training debts of the size that are mentioned here. I would urge people not to get into debts of these significance.
Since there are clearly a number of wannabes who are desperate to become pilots, and for as long as it is seen as a glamour job, then I guess airlines can do this. All airlines see pilots as a expensive resource. If you can staff your fleet with X% who are not being paid, and are no cost to you, then its profitable, and does wonders for the share price. I can't see it getting any better.
I can't see how people can afford the basic training (ATPL and CPL/IR level) and now have to pay for ratings, not taking a salary for half a year etc. No matter what course you are doing, this looks like at least 70-80K for costs in total. This seems now to be in the domain of those with rich parents, sponsorship, or those who are looking for career changes who are 30+ with sufficient funds.
Last edited by no sponsor; 19th November 2002 at 09:09.