Training contract
 

Friend of mine broke a training contract he’s in a state with weak labor laws (NC.) Are these documents actually enforceable? Don’t care about PRIA etc he’s out of aviation for good and on the backside of life as well. There’s no option of working this out or him paying out of pocket for the remainder of the balance.
Thanks!

Depends on state law and the language of the contract. Probably need a local lawyer to know for sure. It wouldn't cost that much to have one read the contract and opine.

But since you'd have to be a compleate idiot to pledge any collateral for something like that, it's not like they can just come repossess your car or house. If they actually go to court and get a judgement that would probably be taken out of current wages... IF they know where you are and who you work for.

Also practically, is the contract amount worth the legal fees and hassle for the employer? Usually not, typically those who try to enforce it are not trying to get their money back per se, but rather to make an example to encourage other pilots to serve their time. So a small company might be less inclined to pursue the matter than a larger one with a lot of pilots. Also right now, most pilots are sitting tight anyway so no real need to make examples.

Honor, it seems, is dead.

Why enter into a training contract, if one is unwilling to honor one's word?

If a pilot has left the employer because the employer has violated the contract or has not fulfilled it, then the issue is irrelevant: the employer has already broken the contract.

If the pilot has signed the contract and yet is unwilling to abide the agreement he made, the question is one of character, and ought not be how he can get out of it. This is always the question asked, though.

If the pilot has become unable to fly (loss of medical, etc) and thus cannot stay with the operator, training, or job, that's another matter entirely, and one should consult an attorney for guidance...rather than a public web board.

Philosophically I agree with JB on most things, including the idea that your word should be good once given.

The only reason I entertain these discussions about breaking contracts is because it's known that some of these employers will not uphold THEIR end of the bargain once they get a pilot on the contract hook. That, or severe personal circumstances, are the only good reasons to break a contract without paying. For the most part it's just business so if you want to break the contract and pay the note, OK fin especially at a big operator like a regional.

Bear in mind that some small operators are seriously impacted if they lose someone unexpectedly, and the note (even if paid off) might not cover their overall loss.