Well tonight, I went to the hanger owned by the 135 company I used to fly for to check the schedules to see if there were any flights I could expect to be on in the near future, when I stumbled upon an email that said I would be dropped from the pilot roster. But what really ticks me off is this email is nearly 3 weeks old, which was send 2 days after my last flight with this company, and still going on 3 weeks, and not one person from this company has the professional courtesy to tell me the depressing news. Even when I picked up my what I assume is my last check which was a week after this email originated... there was still no one who said anything about me loosing my job. A week ago I dropped by (remember I didn't know what was going on) I dropped by the hanger to socialize with the managers, and while she knew what happened, she didn't even bother to tell me anything.

What really ticks me off is, this all happened 3 weeks ago, and I'm just now finding out about this? This company is a small 135 operator and it's family ran... and not once did I ever turn down a flight or put up a fight. I've always been positive and on-time, never failed a checkride, and I got along great with everyone.. and this is how I'm repaid? I can deal with rejection, but honestly.. not a single soul in this company has the professional courtesy to tell me that I won't be used again? Not one person in this company cares that this is information that I NEED to know? Are managers and chief pilots so inconsiderate that they don't think that when laying off their pilots that the pilots affected should be told about that particular decision?

I'm a pretty optimistic person... but please, someone, tell me that there are still aviation companies out there that treat their employees like a human being, and not like a used dog bone that is discarded when there is no meat left to chew.

 

Sorry to read of your story, but there is no one you can depend on but family and yourself. My last flying job, I found out that on the 11 oclock news, and there was no west coast trip the next day. Before that they gave us about a week and that was after 18 years, but the worst was a half torn envelope taped to a locked door of the operations with my first name scribbled in pencil. Yet I have heard worse stories.

I have been out for over a year looking for a flying job, don't worry you will be busy, I chose to give it back to my family and family business while we watch the industry implode. I do think things will cycle again, just not sure when.

 

It is becoming very bad.
I am sorry to hear about the way you got treated, both of you.

Most owners are in it for the money only, and very few have any idea on how to run an efficient aviation department.

I have given quit a bit of advise over the last 5 years or so, and they 1 constant in it was always never ever get into commercial aviation, unless you are rich or have a 20+ military background.

If you wanna fly so bad, get a real job and join a flying club

 

It's not that they don't care or they're not being profesionals, my guess, the boss doesn't have the nerve/hearth to tell you face to face.... thus the email. But I agree with you, we need to know our employment status, and we need to know inmediately.

I posted on here about a guy who learned his faith by accident, he noticed his tail-number up for sale on plane-trader magazine..... he noticed that while waiting for passengers at LAX's Landmark. He called his boss, and the guy confirmed the plane was up for sale, "I'm very sorry but as soon as it sells, you're gone".....

 

How did you stumble upon it? Was it on a computer, was it posted on a bulletin board, etc? Is the email the only word you've gotten that you'd lose your job (it wasn't sent to you, correct)? Maybe they didn't tell you because they changed their minds, or they realized that they don't need to drop you.

I tend to be an optimist.

Well, if no one says anything to you, just keep showing up for work until they tell you to stop!

 

I agree with UCLAbruins, your boss is a coward. Just happened to me too. We were all laid off from a large 135 operation. Our local base formed its own company with the jets that we were flying. I was supposed to be part of this company, and my boss told me to not worry and I will have employment. I was eliminated on April 17th and for close to two weeks my boss has been lying to my face about having a job. Let me add I was not paid my last paycheck on the 17th, my vacation compensation gone, 401K money taken, lied about being covered under health insurance, and cash expenses dating back to Dec. Anyways, I had to find out through a friend that they hired a couple of pilots and the others were SOL. But still, my boss won't tell me the truth about that!!! It is crazy what hard times and money do to people. I guess its an excuse to throw ethics out the door. I just wanted someone to be honest so I could move on. This was the sickest behavior I have ever seen.

 

That's what's sad.. where is the ethics in aviation? I've been in working in aviation since 1997 and even though I've worked for some shady companies.. I've always known if I had a job or not.. but to find this out on my own.. 3 weeks after the decision was made, I think Charterpilot123 got it right.. they're all cowards.

Mitagorz, even though they haven't told me, I have a good reason to believe it's already taken place because they recently given a PIC checkride to a pilot far more qualified than me (even though I have more seniority than this person) and this same person also cussed out the CP when he found out he was to do another flight after a 3 day layover with delays out of Chicago... but the aircraft has flown 3 or 4 times since this decision and not once was I on it. Thank goodness for flightaware, I can track the aircraft to see if it flies or not.. but man talk about the feeling of betrayal you get when your employers do this to you.

 

Sorry to hear that.
It's sad that your boss didn't even have the guts to tell you. At least you could have got the ball rolling on another job or unemployment.

 

A straight up phone call is way past due.

 

I wonder in this type of scenario isnt there any legal recourse, especially regarding the 401k, benefits and last paycheck not being paid. I am probably wrong, but I would think that they only way they could wrangle out of paying the last check or 401k monies is if they were bankrupt? Just a thought that comes to mind, I think I would at least speak with an EOE attorney.