Interesting attitude. Did they did the math to determine that it will be about a first year FO salary at a legacy, give or take some, just to cover the $100K liquidated damages clause. Then another year's salary, give or take, to pay off the bonus repayments. That's all based on pre-tax income. Then any other outside financial obligations like allimony and/or child support garnishings, and maybe other debts to be paid like school, prior flight training, mortgage, kids' college, etc. And then will RPA let them pay it off over, say, 10 years? (not likely). It's like a mortgage on a condo in a mid-size city. I could go on, but you get it.

So, I'll say it again - to each their own. But that attitude that they'll accept the penalties and use potential future earnings to pay it off is not going be pleasant if that becomes reality. Never mind that there's also the outside chance they lose their medical after they leave RPA and can't earn legacy airline pay to catch up with the judgement hanging over them. Seems like a stressful way to start an airline career.