Just curious. If you were going to start a Delta class on say, April 1st. Can your resignation letter from your previous employer say your last day is April 1st (just so your covered), or does your resignation from your previous employer have to be on March 31? Does Delta even require you to have a resignation letter? Thanks.

 

If you told your current company your last day is the 1st, wouldn't they expect you to work that day? Even the 31st would be tight. Do you live in ATL? Do you have to fly to ATL for training? If you're working for a airline right now, give yourself some time to return badges, possibly mail in manuals, etc. I gave myself 2 weeks in between jobs. Training is a couple months. Give yourself some time to relax and enjoy life a bit.

 

For arguments sake, let's say it is another 121 carrier and you have Mar 30 thru Apr 2 already scheduled off with your monthly bid. You would really quit a job 2 weeks early and have nothing until your new job started? That seems a bit ballsy to me.

 

Bull;

Give your current employer the 2 weeks notice (or more if known) with your final day the day before you would start at DAL. Do the honorable thing and let that guide you in this process.

 

Once heard of a guy using vacation over his training period at Delta. Just happened to be over 9/11. Class was cancelled, he kept his previous job and was picked up from furlough once the economy started moving again. Just gave his date of resignation after the class was done. Best move ever.

I've also heard of people doing this through sick time. However, I would not take sick time to do this considering how unproffesional it is. If you have no vacation time, just give yourself a week before the class starts.

 

If you actually have a DAL class date, why not call DAL HR and ask the question.

If you don't have a DAL class date, what difference does it make?

 

Bull,

I have left two 121 jobs for another. Both times I gave myself a 24 hour window. If I was in your shows April 1st would be my last day. I also have always made sure to have at 2-3 days buffer (days already off) before starting. No one has had a problem. I just tried to make sure if I showed day one,before I got a seniority number, and they said class cancelled I could simply make a phone call and get back to my old job. I also did not use sick time or any other leave to make this happen and was very honest with both chief pilots.

Like I said I was never trying anything funny just covering my butt.

Good luck and congrats

 

This is all anyone needs.

Give your 2+ weeks and call it a day.

 

In theory I agree with you.

In practice, I would be as honorable with your current employer as they have been with you.

You and your family come first.

 

Another consideration is where you work. If you work for a Delta subsidiary already, investigate whether you can transfer to Delta without quitting. A small hand full of pilots worked deals through the other Departments that do not require resignations (thousands of rampers, gate agents, supervisors and managers routinely switch divisions within Delta without a reset on their longevity ... ONLY pilots are penalized ... so be a manager or supervisor if you can).

If that is not an option, know whether your former employer's HR records show up on Delta's computers. In 2007 Delta had ASA/Expressjet's HR and pay records. There was an instance in 2000 where Delta fired (or recinded employment) a Delta pilot for problems with his interview and resignation at his previous carrier. If you suspect (you work within DCI) record sharing, follow your current employer's resignation guidance with businesslike respect. After all, if you come from a DCI carrier the flight you might cause to cancel with a late resignation might just be a flight marketed as a Delta flight.

If you are outside these windows, Delta is not likely to know or care. Still, it is a best practice to follow the guidance provided by your current employer. Two weeks is considered normal, but since bidding may be involved longer might be better. I've heard of Delta covering people when Delta adjusts a class schedule ... Delta is a good company that way.