The way I see it the crews paid for it, but the repayment of the debt deferred in lieu of a return of service. As gazelle says though, if the company folds the crew are the ones left with the debt! but who would have thought that? Dodgy practice which quite frankly should have rung some alarm bells.
Easy to say I know, and probably impossible to fight when it becomes a condition of employment. Lessons, hard lessons. Here's hoping the receivers show some compassion and a level of understanding, especially at this time of year.