Slowjet - Yes, I too was a B744 DEC with SIA and had to put up S$60,000.00 as a bank guarantee on which I paid about one percent, (the DBS charged 3%!), I didn't count this as 'money changing hands' as it didn't go to the employer and within the scheme of things was very small beer. In my case the money was held in a London branch and the guarantee issued by their Singapore office, most of the guarantee was a charge against my UK house and not cash.
My point was that, provided you complete the agreed period of return of service then no money changes hands and that is the case. P2F is a different story all together.
Last edited by parabellum; 3rd May 2013 at 22:04.