I disagree strongly, or rather I will say that your new employer might disagree.

This kind of thing has been tried before, and I know a guy who got fired from a major because he was on vacation from his regional when he started at the major. His intent was to try to protect his seniority in case training went badly.

The problem was that he didn't tell his regional what he was doing...he was basically working another flying job while still employed there, which is an airline no-no.

The major also may have felt that he wasn't sufficiently "committed" to his new job. Whatever.

I've heard of at least one regional which actually has a contract clause which allows a pilot who flunks out of of a major to get his job and seniority back automatically within a certain period of time (a few months, long enough to complete IOE). This is a great thing, and would require no disclosure on your part since it's not an active measure which you took, or fraudulent. It's just kind of there.

But in this case I would either be 100% sure the airline doesn't find out (might be tough since dates of employment are one of the few things companies willingly disclose on reference checks), or make sure both parties know in advance what you're doing and are OK with it.

Otherwise you're taking a chance.

 

Yes, but...he's not taking an LOA from another airline, it's a non-aviation job. I can see how it'd be an issue if his employment check was done, though...

 

So, there may be an issue...the airline may run an emloyment verification and find out I am still employed at my desk job, then what?

 

The best time to look for a job is when you already have a job.
Are members actually suggesting that looking for a job while you have another job is a problem?

 

Interestingly enough me and a couple of others I know are seeking the exact opposite. LOA from the regional to do something that will pay the bills without serious QOL sacrifices. Wanna trade? Funny how perspective changes depending on your viewing point.

 

In my eyes, nothing. As long as it's not another commercial flying job, you're good to go. Nothing says you can't work a desk job on top of your flying job. I highly doubt they would ask you, but if they did, just tell them you're going to work there on your days off.

 

Who cares? Do airlines get mad when you have a second job? They can't prohibit you from having a non-flying job.

 

No, the potential issue is starting a new job while on LOA/Vacation from the previous job. Intent being you can go back to your old job if you wash out. This can be a problem if the employers are not aware of what you're doing.

I actually think it's a good idea, given the high failure rate in some training programs.... as long as it doesn't get you fired from the new job.

If both employers know the score and are OK with it, no issues.

 

The problem would be one of honesty/integrity. Does the previous employer expect you to come back? The new employer might consider it dishonest if you took a new job without resigning from the old employer.

Like I said, I know of one guy for sure. He was fired from the major after they had a conversation with the regional. The regional then fired him too, because his LOA reason was "family issues", not "starting a job at a new airline".

People get burned all the time by playing this sort of game in aviation. Like I said, it's a great plan if everybody's OK with it...but I wouldn't recommend trying to BS an airline.

 

The only thing I'd be worried about is if the airline calls your non-airline employer to do an employment history verification. You might have some tough questions to answer from your current employer.

That said, given the instability of this industry and the admittedly small (but real) possibility of a training bust, the OP's idea sounds do-able to me.