Paying so you can work? Unfortunately this is the comman practice nowadays for pilots, I haven't done any research on this, but what are the numbers of pilots in NL (commercial)?
Maintenance staff never have to pay thier own courses(excepting contractors), at the most they would to have to sign a training bond to stay with the company for a period of 2 years. In any case, no mx staff would ever pay(if working for a company), yeah right.
Could it be that companies are tired of prima donna pilots (not my opinion) and companies will do this is if they can get away with it, which they are, due to no strong unions here in NL, take the unions in the US and UK for example, there it's not a matter of prestige, not all mind u, but, most are not like that.
Unions here in NL are too weak, and don't normally listen to the smaller groups(i.e. members who work for smaller less represented comapnies).
I'm a union member, and I keep asking myself what for? They keep misrepesenting myself and my colleagues, .......sound familiar?
If you what this to change in NL, you must actively participate.
Back to topic.
IMO, these shady business men (crooks), should all be picked up and put behind bars, provide the evidence is there and they are convicted. I hope that the Justice Dept. will clean this up, and the industry can go back to what it does best, flying pax/cargo to whatever destination. You guys flyem and we'll keep serviceable for you.
On a side note, the business about Martinair, it sound familiar, as they are very mercenary towards others(management then) the worker bees are good people.