If they never mentioned it and it was never explained to you prior to accepting the job, do not sign it. They tried this with the pilot group at a former company I worked for and even back dated it 3 months to the date of hire. All of us asked in the interview about a contract and were told "no."

Also beware the "promisory note"....likely this is written somewhere on that contract. Basically that is an IOU. They can demand the full amount to be reimbursed at any time.

They can't force you to sign it. You already have the training so they aren't going to threaten you, lest you walk.

The real problem is when someone accepts the job and begins indoc (moves to the city) and then the contract is sprung prior to going to sim training. Now they have you and they haven't paid anything out of pocket. Should you sign something like this, you can always say it was signed under duress.

I know places have been burned by guys typing and running, or even going to initial with no type ride, and running. It still costs the company $10K or so for initial regardless of whether you get your type.

A lot of places (mostly scum charter) make you pay for your own initial/type and re-imburse you over the course of the year. Now they have you by the nads. Most will also make you re-up if you want to go to recurrent too. Pretty much if you leave when you finally get all your money back, you will be out of currency. Brilliant.

Another option is to say that you'd like to have a copy of the contract (don't sign it) so that you can show it to your attorney first. Some places have been known to backtrack right there.

Good luck...