Leaving Air India After 13 Years: How to Handle Unexpected Training Cost Recovery Demands?

I am working for Air India. I joined AI in 2010. Before joining, I had to go through a selection process where they mentioned that pilot training costs were to be borne by candidates. We spent our money on the Commercial Pilot License, after which we were given joining in 2010. Just before joining AI, they asked us to sign a bond (which was never mentioned before or even in the advertisement) for further training. With loans running, we had to sign it in 2010 as the loan amount was swelling up.

Now, after 13 years, I am leaving Air India, and they want to recover that money, or they will not give me a relieving letter. Please help! In between, the company unilaterally changed our salary structure in 2014. During COVID, the company unilaterally deducted salaries as part of economy measures. They took 4 years from 2010 to 2014 to keep me as a trainee pilot due to their mismanagement. Air India was privatized in Jan 2022 and is now under Tata.

Hi, What were the terms and conditions of the bond you had signed? For a Commercial Pilot license, you spent money from your own pocket. What is the necessity of recovering the training cost after 13 years of service? Not ethical. You can defend this legally.

After obtaining my Commercial Pilot License, I underwent type rating training with AIR INDIA. I was required to sign a bond committing to 7 years of service and to pay the type rating cost in 84 equal installments. However, they did not deduct the amount as we contested in court that it was not mentioned in our hiring advertisement. Unfortunately, the court dismissed the case and instructed us to refile with the new owner. Now, they are pressuring employees to stay by demanding payment for the type rating training cost.