Are You Bonded?
 

Been lazing around this fine Sunny Saturday afternoon and I have been thinking (doesn't happen too often! :D :rolleyes: )

How many of us pilots have either joined a company that required a bond for training, or have been promoted and required you to sign one?

I am just wondering if there is like an 'industry standard' or whether each company sets their own price (or uses what company B is using).

What type of aircraft did you upgrade to?

Is the Bond a time/price arrangement?

If so, how long for/how much?

I'd be interested in the replies :eek: ,

Thanks in Advance,

JetRacer ;)

There is no industry standard when it comes to bonds. The bond is proportional to the amount it will cost the operator to train you and how long he considers it will take to recoup that cost.

Bonding is relatively new in these parts and I feel it will soon become the norm. It has been around general aviation and overseas for some time and has finally entered into the Australian airline scene.(Virgin & QF are both bonding their 737 crews now) New entrant into the cargo game, Trans Australian air Express, are also bonding their non rated intake pilots.

There is no problem with signing a bond, provided you can see yourself staying with the Company long enough to complete the required time without penalty.

The decision to sign up is entirely in your hand.

3 holer bonding by airlines in Oz is nothing new. QF have done it for many years now and they only bond you on first joining the airline, not for subsequent type changes or up-grades. There is no money or bank guarantee for QF, just an agreement not to leave in a specified time. The amount that you are bonded for is very reasonable compared to one airline in SE Asia.
I have been bonded twice in my career by two different airlines, I didn't have a problem with it as both airlines were good to work for.
However be warned as a large punitive bond may well be the only way the airline can keep it's pilots as probably the conditions of employment will not.