CE750

Ok, so I used to work for a FAR 91 flight dept, that liquidated about 8 months ago and sold it's only aircraft a Citation X to some foreign outfit, and there never was a certificate as it was part 91. The CP, myself and the other pilots are all now working elsewhere, and the owner of the Aircraft is all that remains, as he was the one who sold it.

How on earth do you do a verification of employment on that? Do I just list the owners name, and they call and ask him if I worked there? How is he supposed to answer all of those technical questions outfits have to answer about their pilots that worked for them? How do they know if I was a CA or FO, how many hours I've flown, etc?? I'm concerned that this is going to be a big "Gap" in my flying and recent career?

Anyone with experience in this?

FlyerJosh

List the information that you can, and be sure to state that the company is no longer in business. The rules for PRIA reporting from 91 operators are no where near as strict as 135/121 operators, and there's a lot of leeway.

I would also put the name/contact info for a coworker (CP) that can verify your employment during that period, or list that you can provide copies of pay stubs/W4s if necessary.

CE750

Pay Stubs is no problem, but I have no idea where the CP or the other pilot are now, and so all that's left is the owner and his personal staff.

What is this PRIA thing you're talking about anyway?

flyfast

PRIA- Pilot's Records Improvement Act of 1996, signed by Congress. PRIA is only for 135/121 Air Carriers. Not Part 91. Employment verification is completely different than PRIA. PRIA pertains to performance as a pilot, pilot certification and national driver’s record. Nothing to do with "Eligible for Re-hire", were you fired, etc. Employment verifications or “Background Checks” are strictly a function the airline does as a business, nothing to do with a law. I just thought would jump on this because there is some confusion in the industry.

CP

CE750

Ok, so in the end, it's my word that I flew an airplane, plus that of the owner of the plane? Even if there is no formal records? odd..


thanks btw..

FlyerJosh

Certainly a lot depends on where you are applying to. PRIA applies to 135/121 jobs, however part 91 operators have certain requirements to provide information for PRIA requests. Sorry if that was a bit misunderstood in my first post.

I've found that verifications aren't that big a deal. I've worked for two employers that have gone the way of many airlines and it hasn't been a big deal in my experience. Just provide what you can in terms of addresses (as they were when you were employed), then make a notation that the company is no longer in business and that you can provide alternative means of verifying your employment.

For example:

December 2000- May 2005
Flight Officer / CRJ FO
Atlantic Coast Airlines / Independence Air*
45200 Business Court
Dulles, VA 20166

*Company no longer in business. Declared bankruptcy in January 2006.
Paystubs, W4s, and additional supporting documents available for employment verification, or contact Joe Pilot (former coworker), 703-555-1234.

CE750

Thanks, but I can see how an ACA would be easier to prove than working for a single rich individual who upped and sold his jet and fired his crew. I wonder if there is some kind of record kept of the airplane's ownership with the FAA that I can access? some kind of ownership check based on tail number or serial number. Hmm..

FlyerJosh

Overall, I wouldn't worry about it. Out of curiousity what type of job are you trying to apply for?

There are plenty of ways that you can show that you were doing what you were doing. Pay stubs, training records (FSI/Simuflite), W4s, etc should all cover any basic background check. It's not that uncommon for companies/owners to ditch aircraft and layoff their crews, particularly when economic conditions aren't the best.

The best way to tackle the problem is to be willing to provide any documentation that you can, and if the employer needs additional info or history, work with them in any way you can to get what they request. Most background checks are simply phone calls or mailed letters asking for confirmation that an individual worked at such and such anyway.

Unless you're going for a security clearance or something else, it shouldn't be a big deal. Logbooks and supporting documents that you can readily provide should satisfy any background check. If not, your potential employer can provide you with more specific details as to what they need.

BCDurbin

Any training records?

B757200ER

You gotta be careful with this stuff. It is so hard to confirm some people's background.