Without dwelling on the ethics/morality/etc. of training contracts, if you really want to know whether you'll need to honor it, take the contract to a lawyer and pay for a consultation. Some good points have been introduced on how you may or may not be held responsible.

We run into lots of unenforceable contracts in our daily lives (ever read the back of a theme park admission ticket? Even in the case of the park's gross negligence you can't sue them?) A contract may or may not be worth the paper its written on.

NOTE: LostInPA is not a lawyer, never will be a lawyer, nor does he/she/it play one on TV

Training contracts are one of those many things that the pilot's think nothing of when breaking (except for the few on here that seem to realize that adults honoring their signatures - or handshakes in the old days - is a dying breed), but if management breaks a contract (which they often do) is the devil's own work. It is this mindset that one can get out of a training contract after signing it, or defaulting on loans through a loophole even if able to pay, or any other form of playing the system that has led to much of the problems we now face on either side of the table. Whether it is the training contract or the employment contract - both should be honored.

USMCFLYR

I would never condone breaking a contract delibrately with the intent of getting a type and leaving; however, sometimes life changes and you need to change jobs for whatever reason. Last full time flying job I had was a 12 month pro-rated contract. Left at month 8 (with a full type) for family reasons and offered to write a check for the additional months when I turned in my manuals. Got a "you were a good employee and we appreciate your candor, but that's not required." In a nutshell they waived it. Had a lot to do with my attitude about it I believe.