Originally Posted by
Amg4me
I have wondered about how ethical this is and if there are any lasting repercussions to doing that. Would be interested to know. I mean if a company invests in your training is it not the ethical thing to do to stay with them for at least a period of time so they can recoup their investment? Which wouldn't be that long really. I know some regionals require you to pay it back if you leave before 24 months, like GoJet, which is really too long, and should stop most from considering GoJet, But I do wonder if this reflects the whole "a pilot is just a number mentality", i.e., so dysfunctional, there is no trust from either side.
Well, the fact of the matter is that anyone who leaves prior to having 1000 TPIC has failed to allow the company to “recoup their investment” in you.
What really IS their investment? It’s not just the ATP cost.
Nor is it just the type rating. Every single hour of SIC time you get depends on the company putting a CA in the left seat next to you and right now most regionals are CA limited. THAT’s what the company REALLY wants (and in fact NEEDS) since that is currently the most limiting factor in their operation and why they are paying high prices for DECs, mandating upgrades for eligible FOs, and going into the 135 business.
So if you are really talking ethical payback, THAT’S how far you need to go.
But you aren’t going to do that, nor am I blaming you or anyone else for that. Before the majors were hiring like they are today (and before the FAA mandated rest times) regional managements worked their crews like a rented mule and paid them as little as they could get away with - which was very little indeed.
Like the others, Skywest accumulated a huge karma debt at that time. Cr@p on them all you want with a totally clear conscience.
They have it coming.