Originally Posted by Jetlife

Is there anything in writing? Anything you might have signed and not be aware what you signed? I would sign up for AOPA legal involved. My guess is that they will try to scare you into settling out of court, but they also have more money than you and taking you to court could cost you lots of money.

They do NOT have a case if there is nothing in writing. Verbal contracts are garbage, and if you contractually obligated to hold up your end, so are they. They breeched the terms and conditions of their own agreement.

Originally Posted by TiredSoul

It's pretty sad really.
Do not attempt to sweet talk them out of it.
Lawyer up and sue for breach of 'something'.
They didn't hold up their end.
With attorney mediation offer that everybody just walks away.
I am getting the impression there's more to the story here though.
Either this is part of their 'business' plan to harass pilots and they've done it before or you're not telling us everything.

Originally Posted by Jetlife

I will also add, you were a contractor, not an employee. You can not legally be held to anything. In fact you can always advise them that the FAA would love to know how they train on revenue flights and I can only venture a guess that duty and rest rules do not exist there. They are banking on you being scared and cowering. Don't let those dirtbags get away with anything, you hold all the aces.

Originally Posted by Jetlife

Screw that dirtbag operation. Just let this be a lesson to not engage with these types of companies in the future. Get a lawyer to draw up a letter stating your position and have it sent to them. You will probably have to go to court over this but even if you defended yourself, you really can't go wrong. No contract, no enforcement, especially if you weren't an employee. This whole thing has absurdity written all over it.

Originally Posted by B727DRVR

LOL, Scumbag corporate and 135 operator central....: Even more so than KYIP. I know because I have been there, done it at both locales. All the shady charter operators down there, and the crummy 2 pilot flight departments that really can't afford the plane are in for a shock when the pilot shortage finally hits South Florida. You know the ones...: The ones that have a $100,000 budget for the flight department salaries and the "Chief", read other pilot, keeps $95,000 for themselves. And when you eat at Dennys, he eats the steak on the company credit card but wants to only let you get an appetizer to keep the expenses down. Oh, and they keep all the Atlantic Bucks, too, because they are "The Captain", and they have a wife and baby to feed. When the last Eastern Airlines scabs die off or medical out, that place might finally turn return to decency and safety in the pilot world. That will leave only those with DWI's or felonies to operate Corrosion Corner Training Centers and shady charter and cargo outfits. I used to be bitter about it, but I am over that now..

Did you at least get a type rating out of it?? I see King Air listed on your profile.. I HOPE that they weren't seriously asking $32,000 for your King Air training or even type. Hell, $32,000 would buy several B737 type ratings for you and 4 of your friends or go a long way towards a Gulfstream or Challenger type. Even the old school FSI Pay for Training scams of the mid 1990's got you some jet time and even an at-the-time seemingly worthless Chapter 11 Continental seniority number. Who knew?

Good luck and tell them to pound sand. The fact that they were training you on live passenger legs is something that they wouldn't want their passengers or the FAA to know about.. It's not like you completed training and THEN were given IOE on live legs with a check airman. After this clears up and you are secure with your new company, I would release their name, initials, A/C type or airport ID for other pilots to see and avoid that place. Crummy company shaming happens on this site all the time, and it even makes a difference. With revolving doors at Wheels Up/Gama and Executive Airshare, pilots helped other pilots by telling them to avoid these companies with draconian schedules of 6 on 3 off and 12 on 3 off respectively. With enough resignations and outcry, along with a lack of applicants, both places improved their schedules and Wheels Up improved to a 8/6 schedule, one step from Netjets 7/7.

Make a difference by not paying and make a stand. You will be helping yourself and all pilots. Again, good luck and thank you for being tough.

Let me guess.... KFLL? Am I right?

Originally Posted by flygirle814

Exactly that. Reading the TWC guidelines, what they wanted from me was really under the definition of an employee. But they made me a contractor to avoid paying all that comes with having an employee. I wonder if the IRS would like to know about all the taxes they owe on every "contractor" they have ever had.

They wanted 15-20 days a month obligation (making myself available), but didn't have the business to sustain all the pilots they have with enough trips to earn a decent income. They also would call mandatory meetings at their home base and require people to travel at their own expense on short notice.

Originally Posted by Quarryman

They have engaged legal counsel. It's best you do the same. Cease all communication, except through your attorney.