No kidding! I can't believe pilots are still convinced that an airline pays for your training when the first year pay is $22/hr. If you do the math, that's at least $10k the company saves in order to pay for your training bill. In the case of Trans States, second year pay gives them an additional $8k towards your initial training.

I guess if you want to feel better about yourself you can think of it as a loan the company gives you during initial training and you can pay it back as you go. Either way... you still pay.