Originally Posted by
OldSF3Dude
A training contract is a big red flag. If an airline is a decent place to work it should be able to retain you without financial threats. Also consider that there will be many promises that airlines will make to you that will not be met. Perhaps you may pick an airline for a domicile that will be closed on you out of the blue, etc. You sign a lease, or buy a house, your significant other moves with you and gets a job, and then all of a sudden you are displaced or furloughed plus you have a training contract hanging over your head if you decide to bail. These type of situations inevitably happen in this industry. DON'T SIGN ANYTHING AND DON'T TAKE ON DEBT!
Bonuses are another matter. I think that bonuses for new first officers will go up and up based on the supply and demand of ATPs. Very few qualified ATPs are going to come aboard for $25,000 per year (much less sign a training contract) so airlines will have to continue to sweeten the first year pot and compete against each other for new hires.
A training contract is not a financial threat. It's a mutual agreement, period. If you don't like it then go elsewhere. Regional airlines don't make promises. They tell you straight up that they are under the mercy of the major carriers and may have to close a base here and there. I wouldn't sign a lease or buy a house until you get to a major and even then, there is instability everywhere in aviation. If you want a job where you don't have to move around a few times or get furloughed then you should not have become a pilot. What did you expect, the airlines to cater to the needs and wants of each pilot? If mainline takes a dump on regional flying routes and the company needs to close a base should the company ask the pilots first if that is okay? If somebody bought a house then they should just leave the base open and lose money? Why would anybody ever think about investing in a company who isn't out for the best interest of the shareholders?