They do not want the user to open the master document,
switch to outline view or whatever.

Is there a way for the file to just open in Print Layout?

Thanks in advance,

The "best" way to do this depends on a couple of things. The first is the
template the document is based on and whether you want this to happen just
for this particular document or for all documents created from the
template.

I'll answer assuming you only want to do it for this particular document.
If this is not the case please post a followup message.

In the documents "ThisDocument" module paste the following code:

Private Sub Document_New()
    With ActiveWindow
        If .View.SplitSpecial = wdPaneNone Then
            .ActivePane.View.Type = wdPrintView
        Else
            .View.Type = wdPrintView
        End If
    End With
End Sub

Every time you open the document it will be forced to Print Layout view.

Every time you save a document it's View mode is saved as well. SO if you
save the document in Print Layout view it will reopen in  Print Layout
view.

I hope this helps + Cheers - Peter