That's true Newb.
I remember when bonding started in the seventies, I was horrified and thought it would never catch on.
Then paying for a type rating, I was horrified and thought it would never catch on.
Then paying for Line Training - WTF??
It probably has some way to go yet - buying a command? Selling your job to the highest bidder on EBAY? God knows...
I presume it must be something to do with capitalism, but as someone once said, it's the unacceptable face of capitalism
Back to the opening post - it's a wind up. The chap would be very easily identifiable in EZY - surely no-one could be that stupid! And we've all fallen for it!
It all makes me so grateful at how very lucky I've been. 10 types and never paid for a rating. And (I know it's been said before) never did a days work in my life.