Recurrent training contract- Need advice!!
06-22-2015, 01:13 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Feb 2013
Posts: 131
Recurrent training contract- Need advice!!
I've been with my current employer for one year. I completed my initial May 2014. I'm in my grace month and my employer has waited until the very last minute to send me to recurrent. When I was hired I did not sign any kind of training contract. I know this is fairly standard in the industry so I would have had no issue doing it.
I just got a phone call from my chief and he said that they are starting to enforce training contracts. He said I'll need to sign one before I leave for training. Mind you I have a plane ticket leaving in less than 36hrs for FSI and this is the first time time I've heard about this and haven't even had a chance to review the contract.
Two months after I got hired my chief told me not to move (was planning on moving closer to my base airport) because the plane is up for sale. It was almost sold but the owner hasn't accepted any offers yet. I think he is really pushing to sell now. I'm surprised I still have a job. I haven't interviewed anywhere else and even though I never signed a contract I planned on staying a year as a gentleman's agreement.
I fear every month I'm going to lose my job and now at the last second they spring this training contract on me. I called friends at 4 different operators and none of them were asked to sign a contract for recurrent. I'm not planning on leaving tomorrow but would like to keep my options open. I don't want to wait until my plane disappears and I'm on the street with no opportunities.
What do I do at this point? Need answers quick!
I just got a phone call from my chief and he said that they are starting to enforce training contracts. He said I'll need to sign one before I leave for training. Mind you I have a plane ticket leaving in less than 36hrs for FSI and this is the first time time I've heard about this and haven't even had a chance to review the contract.
Two months after I got hired my chief told me not to move (was planning on moving closer to my base airport) because the plane is up for sale. It was almost sold but the owner hasn't accepted any offers yet. I think he is really pushing to sell now. I'm surprised I still have a job. I haven't interviewed anywhere else and even though I never signed a contract I planned on staying a year as a gentleman's agreement.
I fear every month I'm going to lose my job and now at the last second they spring this training contract on me. I called friends at 4 different operators and none of them were asked to sign a contract for recurrent. I'm not planning on leaving tomorrow but would like to keep my options open. I don't want to wait until my plane disappears and I'm on the street with no opportunities.
What do I do at this point? Need answers quick!
06-22-2015, 02:00 PM
#2
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,919
I cannot tell you what to do. However I wouldn't touch that BS with a 10 foot pole. The economy is way too good to be signing contracts period, but making you sign a recurrent contract is literally the dumbest thing I have ever heard. You stayed for the length of your training which is what a contract is for. Recurrent is the cost of doing business, and they have no right to spring a contract on you for recurrent training, that is indentured servitude and is probably illegal. Based on this shenanigans alone, I would venture a guess that this is a bottom feeder company. I would look for other work. Also, I would be very honest and up front with with them. Tell them that you already gave them a year of employment, and that you think it is unfair that they are asking for a contract for recurrent training. Be prepared for them to not send you though. This is why I can't really tell you what to do, only what I would do. I would NEVER sign a recurrent contract. An initial type rating is a different story, but recurrent is the cost of doing business for a company.
You could also sign it, then GTFO and tell them to shove that contract up their ass when you leave. Either way, I would be looking for another job, one that actually values you as an employee.
You could also sign it, then GTFO and tell them to shove that contract up their ass when you leave. Either way, I would be looking for another job, one that actually values you as an employee.
06-22-2015, 10:21 PM
#3
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Posts: 131
I completely agree with everything you said. I feel now that I should just quit either way if this is how I'm going to be treated. I feel if I stay and bail two months later it would look worse to my next employer that I left soon after completing recurrent with or without a contract. I also feel I'm locking myself into a job that is ultimately going away with no other place for me at the company. I haven't devoted much time to actually looking for other opportunities because I can't even get a hard day off!
06-22-2015, 10:45 PM
#4
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,017
Never take a job that you're not willing to walk away from on principle.
You don't need to quit, but You do need to refuse to sign that contract. You've already given a year of service. If they didn't have you sign initially, then signing for a recurrent (of all things) as asinine. Don't do it.
Think about it this way: would the company sign an agreement to keep you employed for six months or a year, and guarantee it with a penalty for early termination?
The standard agreement is a year of service if they type you initially, but six months for a recurrent. That said, the situation that you're describing is underhanded and dishonest. I worked for a fractional that tried the same thing; waited until we were just finishing initial then sprung a training bond on us. Dirt bag operators.
Given that they're looking at selling your aircraft, the notion of tying you into a training bond is particularly suspect. I'd give it a pass. They've already got time and money invested in you and you have a track history. It costs a lot of money to hire a new employee vs. retaining an existing one. If the company has to get someone to replace you, they'll pay through the nose to do it. They won't necessarily be able to replace you quickly, and if they're running you 24/7 then they apparently can't afford to close shop or take a break in service that your quitting might cause. You may have some leverage there, but if you don't, you can do far better elsewhere.
You don't need to quit, but You do need to refuse to sign that contract. You've already given a year of service. If they didn't have you sign initially, then signing for a recurrent (of all things) as asinine. Don't do it.
Think about it this way: would the company sign an agreement to keep you employed for six months or a year, and guarantee it with a penalty for early termination?
The standard agreement is a year of service if they type you initially, but six months for a recurrent. That said, the situation that you're describing is underhanded and dishonest. I worked for a fractional that tried the same thing; waited until we were just finishing initial then sprung a training bond on us. Dirt bag operators.
Given that they're looking at selling your aircraft, the notion of tying you into a training bond is particularly suspect. I'd give it a pass. They've already got time and money invested in you and you have a track history. It costs a lot of money to hire a new employee vs. retaining an existing one. If the company has to get someone to replace you, they'll pay through the nose to do it. They won't necessarily be able to replace you quickly, and if they're running you 24/7 then they apparently can't afford to close shop or take a break in service that your quitting might cause. You may have some leverage there, but if you don't, you can do far better elsewhere.
06-22-2015, 11:16 PM
#5
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Joined APC: Feb 2013
Posts: 131
Originally Posted by JohnBurke
Think about it this way: would the company sign an agreement to keep you employed for six months or a year, and guarantee it with a penalty for early termination?
The standard agreement is a year of service if they type you initially, but six months for a recurrent. That said, the situation that you're describing is underhanded and dishonest. I worked for a fractional that tried the same thing; waited until we were just finishing initial then sprung a training bond on us. Dirt bag operators.
06-23-2015, 03:41 AM
#6
Pilot
Joined APC: Dec 2014
Position: Large cabin Bizjet
Posts: 448
I'd tell them to go screw. Chances are they won't fire you, cause it wouldn't make sense to hire someone for an airplane they might sell. If they do fire you, chances are you'd get a job pretty quickly in this market.
What type of airplane?
What type of airplane?
06-23-2015, 07:02 AM
#7
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Joined APC: Sep 2013
Position: On the hotel shuttle
Posts: 5,812
"I'd like to continue working here, but I won't sign a training contract with anyone -- out of principle. Let me know if you want me to go to recurrent."
The ball's now in there court. In the meantime, find another job.
The ball's now in there court. In the meantime, find another job.
06-23-2015, 07:13 AM
#8
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Joined APC: Feb 2013
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Originally Posted by HwkrPlt
I'd tell them to go screw. Chances are they won't fire you, cause it wouldn't make sense to hire someone for an airplane they might sell. If they do fire you, chances are you'd get a job pretty quickly in this market.
What type of airplane?
What type of airplane?
06-23-2015, 12:16 PM
#10
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,919
You already gave a year, contract or no contract you gave a year. Your side of the coin is complete. They would have to spend money to hire somebody new, train them, and get them online, all the while the plane would be unable to fly. All the balls are in your court right now. Absolutely do not sign a contract for recurrent. That is some slimy ass crap right there...
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