shagtastic et al,
The agreement dated 2000 (available at
www.osiris.gov.au and type in "virgin blue pilots") provided for a deferred professional retention supplement to be paid in June 2002, amounting to $25K for captains, pro rata for FO's.
This amount was to "recognise the need for ongoing training requirements associated with licence renewal".
So I suppose that it does not specifically repay the cost of the rating, but just by coincidence happens to be the amount bandied about as the cost of a type rating and has the same effect
Judging from the previous posts I presume that the new agreement retains something similar?
regards: bored pilot stuck in a desk job.