Using our start of class date as our DOH complies with ALPA merger policy. Obviously we were starting operational training. From the very start of class we had employee numbers and were in the pinnacle HR system. And if, for arguments sake, there was any ambiguity in ALPA merger policy, it can never trump US employment law. On day one we had to fill out the I-9 employment verification form. US law states that this form must be filled out by the employee 'at the actual time of employment.' Employers are required to complete their part of the I-9 form within three days of the employee starting work. All this paper work was done right from the start so the government considered us employees. You can't argue that we were contractors until we passed our checkride because the I-9 form is not required for contractors.