Signing a training contract- IS IT WORTH IT?
05-14-2013 | 02:33 PM
#11
Banned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,350
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The answer is a resounding NO !
Flexibility will be the name of the game at the regionals in the next few years and the LAST thing you want is to be financially chained to carrier X. You may want to persue other options before the contract is up like another regional, an LCC or a legacy. You may even get opportunity outside the airline industry.
Let's face it...........a training contract is an indication of a company that is desperate and either cannot retain qualified people or attract them in the first place. It's a red flag of danger and an employment mine for pilots.
My advice is to treat them like illicit drugs and just say "no".
Flexibility will be the name of the game at the regionals in the next few years and the LAST thing you want is to be financially chained to carrier X. You may want to persue other options before the contract is up like another regional, an LCC or a legacy. You may even get opportunity outside the airline industry.
Let's face it...........a training contract is an indication of a company that is desperate and either cannot retain qualified people or attract them in the first place. It's a red flag of danger and an employment mine for pilots.
My advice is to treat them like illicit drugs and just say "no".
05-14-2013 | 02:34 PM
#12
Day puke
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,865
Likes: 0
From: Out.
Is it worth it? That is up for you to decide. Should a company require one? That, too, is up to you.
Personally, I have signed two: one at an excellent 135 company and the other at a less than desirable 121 company. In both cases, I fully expected to stay for the term, but was willing to repay the prorated amount had I been hired at Marvelous Mainline.
If you sign one, be willing to live up to it either by serving the time or paying what is owed. That is what an honorable person does. Not living up to the contract, IMHO, is as sleazy as many of our upper managers.
Personally, I have signed two: one at an excellent 135 company and the other at a less than desirable 121 company. In both cases, I fully expected to stay for the term, but was willing to repay the prorated amount had I been hired at Marvelous Mainline.
If you sign one, be willing to live up to it either by serving the time or paying what is owed. That is what an honorable person does. Not living up to the contract, IMHO, is as sleazy as many of our upper managers.
05-14-2013 | 03:09 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: CA
Yes they are worth it unless you think you'll be off to a major in less than 2 years. It's a sleazy move to have the company spend $30,000+ then quit a couple months later. The rest of your pilot group will feel the pain when the company's expenses are too high and they can't win bids for flying causing furloughs.
05-14-2013 | 03:30 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 324
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From: Just because the MEL says we can, doesn't mean we should
Yes they are worth it unless you think you'll be off to a major in less than 2 years. It's a sleazy move to have the company spend $30,000+ then quit a couple months later. The rest of your pilot group will feel the pain when the company's expenses are too high and they can't win bids for flying causing furloughs.
05-14-2013 | 03:41 PM
#15
Layover Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,376
Likes: 9
From: Seated
I understand signing a training contract if the training provides you a type rating that you can immediately use elsewhere. No company can sustain being a training factory. Yes, they COULD be a better place to work and thus MAYBE not need one, but still, I get it.
That said, I have reluctantly signed one pro-rated contract when I was in a job bind. It's was a good company, but the a/c did not require a type.... kinda made me mad.
To each their own if they wish to sign one.
That said, I have reluctantly signed one pro-rated contract when I was in a job bind. It's was a good company, but the a/c did not require a type.... kinda made me mad.
To each their own if they wish to sign one.
05-14-2013 | 04:39 PM
#16
Underpaid...
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 0
From: French-Canadian
I understand signing a training contract if the training provides you a type rating that you can immediately use elsewhere. No company can sustain being a training factory. Yes, they COULD be a better place to work and thus MAYBE not need one, but still, I get it.
That said, I have reluctantly signed one pro-rated contract when I was in a job bind. It's was a good company, but the a/c did not require a type.... kinda made me mad.
To each their own if they wish to sign one.
That said, I have reluctantly signed one pro-rated contract when I was in a job bind. It's was a good company, but the a/c did not require a type.... kinda made me mad.
To each their own if they wish to sign one.
05-14-2013 | 04:51 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: CA
That sounds like something a regional lifer would say. Do you want to be paid what you're worth? Then apply to Comair. They tried handing out the best contract to try and set the status quo for the industry.
05-14-2013 | 04:56 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 797
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From: Jet Pilot
It is real simple: sign ONLY if you have every intention of fulfilling your end of the (SIGNED) bargain. Otherwise don't sign it.
05-14-2013 | 05:04 PM
#19
Underpaid...
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 0
From: French-Canadian
Really, this is coming from the kid who says "I'm ok with a crappy contract, so we continue to grow".
05-14-2013 | 05:11 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,244
Likes: 2
From: Baja Vermont
I'd say sign it, you will probably stay long enough just getting time in type. Our company asked for one, everyone signed.
Besides, if an employer wants you, they'll buy out the unpaid balance. I was offered just that by a potential employer who asked if I had one (it had long expired, anyway). I'm not alone in that offer.
GF
Besides, if an employer wants you, they'll buy out the unpaid balance. I was offered just that by a potential employer who asked if I had one (it had long expired, anyway). I'm not alone in that offer.
GF
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