Any ideas on how to get out of a $7500 12-month non-prorated training contract?

Let me add no one from the company was in the room to witness my signature, it was just fellow classmates. Any legal advice, or experiences?

Thanks. Its a lot of money for a 1st year regional FO, if you know what I mean.

I know a prior employee left and got a $7500 shot on his credit.

If it were me, and I signed the contract ... then I would uphold it. But that's just me.

Have you tried to get legal advice? I'm sure a consultation with an attorney (particularly one who specializes in aviation) would reveal whether the contract is enforceable.

Yeah, don't sign it if you don't plan to either uphold it or pay up.

A neighbor/pilot of mine told me if there is a safety issue, must civil courts will rule in favor of the pilot. So, if it makes it to court (they sue for breach of contract or you try to clear up your credit) you can argue that you felt your life was in danger. My neighbor had left a flight school he instructed for many years ago, got sued and the company dropped the suit when he argued that the a/c they flew were unsafe.

Didn't your company have a mid-air a few years ago? Any past violations on their certificate? Sight those issues when leaving the company and maybe they won't bother to collect on your contract.

I'd probably just stick to the contract, learn from the experience and look forward to another job.

Stick it out. If it's only a year, that's really not that bad. Chalk it up as 1 year/4-seasons of Part 121 flying. If you are looking to get on with Republic/Compass, or whatever, I'm 99.9% sure they will be hiring by the end of your term, wherever that may be. Keep your eyes to the sky my friend, and remember..."the grass isn't always greener on the other side."

This is why this profession sucks. Just work for free and really tear down this industry.

Less than a month ago I was working for a company that I absolutely wanted to leave. Pay wasn't the greatest and neither were the working conditions. I was flying into venezuela on a daily basis where the controllers speak terrible english at best.... so you could say my life was in danger every day.... but I stuck it out until the company decided to furlough all of us and I can say without a doubt that I have been better for it. I know how you feel.... it sucks.... but it will make getting to a regional or any other better job that much sweeter.... you are just paying your dues and I respect that. I think there are waaaaaaaayyyyyy too many guys who just pay for the CRJ training course without putting in the hard work first.

Keep your head up and keep plugging along.... freight dogs like us always get to where they want to be in life (or so I hope)

Not exactly the responses you expected, huh bgmann?

How about this, DO NOT WORK anywhere that has a training contract. Keep your life in your own control.

How about: Fulfill the contract. You signed it.

Unless you are willing and planning to lie and deny that you signed it, you are quite possibly liable for the pro-rated obligation.

The key to this is, don't sign them in the first place if you do not intend to or want to carry out the contract.