Originally Posted by
JohnBurke
You think this is an attack? You've defended points that are without defense and made statements that you can't back up.
The truth is that training contracts and employment agreements are largely the function of pilots who couldn't act honorably, and cost employers time, productivity, money, and clients.
There are a number of employers out there that don't pay particularly well, don't have the newest equipment, or even the most desirable working conditions. Research the company before taking the job. Pilots often take those jobs because they want the flight time, the experience, and the opportunity to move on. If that's what they want, then they need to be willing to recognize that turnabout is fair play, and that they need to give enough service to justify their employment.
Too often pilot employees hire on intending to leave as soon as they can rack up a few hours. They springboard off the employer, looking for bigger and better. The employer now may not be top of the heap, may not be the biggest or fastest or pay the best, but HE is the one that gave you your chance. Recognize that, pay it back by staying long enough to make it worth the employers while. He's got a business to run, and that business isn't training you for the next guy. If he's going to put the time and effort into bringing you on board and giving you your chance, then honor that effort.
If a training agreement is fronted, and you don't agree with it, don't take the job. Most of the employers for whom I've worked had no agreement; it was a hand shake. I find a handshake to be binding. Many do not. I will honor a handshake. Many will not.
Most all training agreements or employment contracts offer a clause to allow you out; if you agreed to a training bond, for example, of twelve thousand dollars, and you agreed that it will be forgiven at the rate of a thousand dollars a month, then when your shiny jet syndrome it too unbearable at the six month point, all you need to do is honor your commitment and fork over six grand. Or stay the other six months like you promised you would. Simple.
This is attacking you, is it? You may need a little thicker skin if you intend to survive very long in this industry.
You crack me up man, you basically just reiterated the points I made previously. And trust me, I've lasted and done plenty well in this industry, flying most of my career in what is widely regarded as the toughest conditions on the planet. So don't talk down to me tough guy. I've seen companies royally screw over their employees and employees likewise royally screw over their employers. Fact is that training is a cost of doing business, plain and simple. Some people can hack it and others can't, sometimes their are extenuating circumstances and sometimes their aren't, and some companies are great and honor their commitments and some aren't. You claim to honor a handshake and so do I, as a matter of fact, I go above and beyond for every company I've ever worked for. How many times have you worked 14 hr shifts without a day off right up to your your 13 in a quarter? I've done it for years. I've loaded and unloaded thousands of pounds of sh@t in blowing snow day in day out, flying single pilot IFR in old clapped out airplanes through the mountains of Alaska. I was the guy who always made it in, who always got the job done for the company, and I have standing offers to return in any part of the state, so don't question my work ethic or the thickness of my skin. Training contracts are bullsh@t bordering on extorted indentured servitude, a handshake and your word is all that is necessary.
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