Sounds almost like something PW would try...?
Just remember, Aviation is a small community and you don't want to be the bridge others run on from the fire...
Quote:
What is the pro-rated training contract?
This is an $XX,XXX.xx training contract with the airline. The contract is 12 months in length. Should you leave employment (voluntary or involuntary) prior to the end of the 12-month period, you will be required to pay the balance of the contract. The balance due on the contact will decrease by 1/12th every 30 days of employment following the date you pass your check ride with BlahBlah
"You will be required" is most likely not enforceable in a court of law, as you could argue that the entire sense of "employment" is undermined by the fact that they most likely pay you minimum wage for occupying a seat that is only per some regulation required to be occupied, logging time that may prove worthless, which will turn every peanut they pay you (in this case XXX.XX dollars/ month) into nothing, in case you decide to leave. Keep in mind that safety violations, or failing
any sort of checkride (even one set up out of the blue sky to get you line kicked), as well as declining to operate an aircraft in an unsafe manner could leave you stranded "voluntarily or involuntarily" ending your employment. I suspect the FAA is turning a blind eye to such operations?
It all comes down to being a discussion about chicken or egg. Your initial qualification to be employable by such firms was there before they "hired" you, in whatever sort of certificate you hold. They hired you knowing full well that you'd have to pass a 135 Checkride. It's then nothing but a pressure tool to get you to stay, so they get their money's worth (supposedly) out of having invested basically nothing in "training" people.
Generally I have not seen many reputable companies do that, except for T/R related issues for high demand airplanes, whereas a Company may sponsor your T/R. Even then, I would view the practice rather shady. Not being a lawyer, I can almost guarantee that if you keep every piece of documentation leading to this employment + maybe one or two expert witness statements you will cause a hefty chuckle on the side of the judge, while he rips that contract to pieces.
If there is no one ready and available to explain the meaning of that contract, and ask you if you truly understand what you are signing - I'd just sign it. Otherwise, send it to a contract lawyer, if he/ she chuckles and tells you to sign it - go ahead.