It really is bad enough for students to have to fund the full cost of massive training fees, which would/ will financially cripple them for many years to come, other than those with parents/ legacies behind them.
BUT- it is scandalous and absolutely immoral for these employers to counter-charge a potential employee for type rating, to the extent where the employee is working for next to nothing for his first year of "remuneration", if it could be called that.
Can you think of another industry where you are charged to be employed?
Surely, it is this sort of abuse that unions, such as BALPA, are supposed to be in existence to counter? Or, as is likely, do the M. O'Ls of the industry just give them two fingers?