I currently fly part 91 corporate for a company (A). There tends to be a fair amount of days off between flights and I was offered some extra flying on the side by another company (B). I am on salary with my current company (A) and always on call, but was told by my boss that as long as he didn’t need me for a particular day it was fine that I fly with the other company (B). The issue I have is that the company (A) wants 80% of whatever pay I get for doing flying on the side. I don’t feel this is right because this is on my own time flying for a different company, and will not interfere with my current job. I am thankful I have a job and don’t want to argue about it with my current company, but feel like I’m getting the short end of the stick. I was wondering if anybody else does the same thing and if their company takes a cut as well.

 

For 20% better off doing odd jobs then flying for free. It does sound fishy like you suspect. Why does your employer want the 80%? Are they finding you the work and want a referral fee. I think what your employer is doing would be illegal. But I am not a lawyer. Doesn't pass the smell test.

 

My employer didn't find the extra flying, I was contacted directly from the second company by a referal from someone I know at the airport. The company I work for isn't in any financial trouble either, a few extra hundred dollars a month wouldn't do anything for them.

 

Sounds like Employee “A” is a bottom feeder. But a remedy to your situation may be:

Option 1. Request a per diem contract with Employees "A" and "B".

Option 2. If Employee "A" wants 80% of your salary of Employee "B", you can work out a salary/per diem arrangement with Employee "B" where your salary is equal to 10% and per diem equal to 90% of your total pay from "B". Then you would be obligated to pay 80% of Employee "B"'s 10% and also advise him that you would issue Employee "A" a 1099.

 

You should ask your boss why he expects to get a cut of pay from work you accomplish.

Salary paid to you or not, that demand is BS!

 

I am a salaried part 91 pilot and I work at Flightsafety parttime and it was agreed when I was hired on, as long as it didn't interfer with my flight schedule then there was no problem with it. What do they think an extra few hundred dollars a month is going to help a billion dollar a year business during these hard economic times!

 

Well, you tried going about it the right way. Some people are weird like that. Now on your days off, if you worked construction or whatever, would they want 80% of that pay too? It's all BS, and Aviation departments are weird about it. My current employer was going to do that if I did some part-time work for my old charter outfit, he was going to charge them a day-rate. So I never did it. Although I would've done some weekend flights for them off the books, but it never did work out while I was current. I can't complain, I'm paid well to sit at my desk most days.

 

Sounds like their way saying no even though they said yes. Is you boss a woman by chance?

Actually, if you dont have any scheduled days off, and you do a trip for someone else while on call for your current employer, then something happens, could they possibly be held liable should something happen? Who will pay your workers comp or medical bills should you slip and fall, or hurt your back while loading bags for the contract trip? Who will pay for the contract pilot should your guy have a pop up trip that you are now not available for? What about the possible mechanical away from your base that now leaves you stranded?

All things to consider from both sides. Doing side work seems like quick easy money until you throw in all the "what if's". Contract work is probably best left to the Contract Pilots.

FBP

 

Employer A is not only paying you to fly his airplane he is paying for you to be available to fly anytime.
I can understand your employer's heartache with it. They pay for your training, your health insurance, workman's comp and all your benefits. You can at least give them what they pay for.
I am sure you took the job knowing you were to be available to them at all times.
Do you have hard days off? Will you reimburse your present employer for pro rata training?
You boss is just being prudent and I amsure this is not the first time in his life an employee has tried to moonlight. He probably doesn't allow his legal council or accountants do it either.
Be careful, when it comes time for a raise he will be less inclined to grant one knowing you are making money on the side.
Boundaries need to be set. For hard days off and for outside flying.
The last thing he wants is his pilots out of town when he needs to get somewhere.
Owners keep an airplane and full time crew for the perceived value of having it available anytime.
It aircraft B needs a crew, have them hire a full time pilot. Work out a mutual pilot sharing arrangement to cover each other's trips when you are sick or need a day off etc. Both sides win.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone. I do see both sides of the coin for this issue. I think what I will have to do is not fly for company B and live without the extra cash each month. This will give my current company nothing to complain about, and help Cover My Behind.