Going on mil leave before completing probation?
 

Hi,

Anyone have first or second hand knowledge about dropping orders and going on military leave before completing one year at a major or regional?

I have heard of CAL firing a guy for doing that during indoc. They said he lied on his application about his availability.

I'm curious to know which companies don't care too much and which ones will try to hammer someone. I know that there are laws to protect one if being activated but I'm curious about a voluntary acceptance of orders. After completing probation I know that one can accept voluntary orders for up to 5 years but it's early that I wonder about.

Thanks...

I had a squadron mate who did that at CAL...only went out for 2-3 months in his probationary year. There was no formal action taken because it would be illegal. His CP did have a 'talk' with him of sorts. His availability at CAL went up significantly for the remainder of his probation. Can they fire you for it? No. Can they bust you on enough checkrides to fire you? Maybe. Bottom line is that you never want to highlight yourself in your airline career...but especially so in your probationary year. I think the crap you get will vary by who your supervisor happens to be.

You could drop orders 5 minutes after you got your ID on day #1 if you really wanted to. The Federal Law is called USERRA. Go to the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve website www.esgr.com. The law basically guarantees your right to serve in the military anytime you want to and your employer has to hold your job for you. The great deal is that they have to treat you like you were never gone. So if you went on 10 months of mil leave 2 months into the job and returned on your anniversary date, then you would be on 2d year pay. They would probably consider you still on probation though. Why suffer through year 1 pay at CAL or UPS if full time orders are an option?

I would be doubtful that CAL fired someone for doing it. The Dept of Labor has been aggressive about enforcing the law. I don't know if I would even really involve the Union as much as I would be contacting my congressmen and the Dept of Labor.

I personally know people who've taken AGR jobs while still on probation. While it's considered poor form, there is absolutely zero that they can do about it.

They can extend your probation to the extent that you didn't finish. You might get a stern talking too.

The only real material recourse is that your sponsors/recommends/contacts might lose some pull for future buds in search of jobs.

I seriously doubt the CAL story. If true, there must be other circumstances.

The country is currently at war (sad that we even have to remind people of that, isn't it?). There's no way an airline is going to risk firing someone for serving their country....and it's against the law.

For what it is worth...There has been some grumbling from CA about reserve and guard guys getting the job and then 3-4 months later doing the military leave gig for 6 mos to a year and causing some hate and discontent with the CPs. I know a very senior person at CA and he told me not to mention my plans for the reserves when I get the interview. Seems that management is getting tired of this.

Sounds like a problem brought on by the airline's themselves with their crappy 1st year pay. I know, I know, I'm preaching to the choir. :)

Yeah, 30 bucks an hour makes for a some headaches.

The thing with the CAL guy is a "friend of a friend who knows a guy" thing. Don't know if it's true or not.

Perhaps it's better to wait until retirement than have to explain to airline xyz that I was let go from airline abc years ago because....

Also, anyone know if any airlines that don't make a big deal about the 5 years away rule? I know....don't get greedy kid.

I would hate to be the airline that comes under scrutiny from the government for discriminating against guardsman/reservists during time of conflict. I'm pretty sure the paying-public wouldn't like it either, when 70 kids a month are coming home in flag-draped coffins, and the industry is putting the screws to the citizen-soldier.

Most of the situations that I have heard about is guys finishing up IOE and a month later activating themselves for a year doing "support/desk" stuff and not really deploying to the sandbox. A lot view it as a tactic to offset the 1st year pay and CA is left without the new body to use and abuse for 12 mos.

it's ILLEGAL to ask you about your Guard/Reserve plans in a interview...if you bring it up, technically they can't act on that info....

HTH
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