Isn't bonding someone who has paid for their own training against the law? Surely it's a restriction of labour movement, a bit like with pro footballers when their club didn't want them any more but didn't want anyone else to have them whilst they were still in contract.
When I went to DHL they bonded type rated pilots for a six month period to cover 'training costs'. I must admit at the time I felt that was a little unreasonable considering the thousands I was saving them by having the type-rating already, but at least it was for a sensible time scale during which they had recouped their costs for the initial outlay.
Putting a bond on someone who has paid for the type rating outright, for a number of years and for the cost of that type rating seems unreasonable. Would not a court of law take that opinion?
Trouble is the old nugget of do you want to sue an airline and then apply for a job elsewhere......................
PP