Hoping for some career guidance from the wealth of experience here.
A couple of years ago, I was terminated from a large 135 charter operator after reporting multiple serious aircraft safety issues and refusing to fly an aircraft I believed was unsafe. I had documented the discrepancies through normal company procedures. The company pushed back, found someone else to fly the airplane, and later terminated me. The FAA subsequently investigated and took action against the company. I stand by my decision and would make it again.
Following my termination, the company entered a "professional disqualification" in my PRD. This was fraudulent and purely in retaliation. Professional disqualification has a specific regulatory meaning, and no qualifying event occurred. I had no failed checkrides or other disqualifying events. I had a flawless record with the company and in my career.
That false PRD entry effectively derailed my career. Several major airlines and fractional operators declined to move forward with my applications, specifically citing my PRD.
For context, I'm a former military aviator, ATP-rated captain, and qualified on multiple aircraft. Between lost income and future opportunities, the financial damage potentially reaches into the millions.
I filed a legal claim, which is now approaching trial. The evidence strongly supports my position, including the FAA investigation.
Recently, the company requested settlement terms, and we are getting ready to enter negotiations; my attorney submitted a settlement demand that included a correction of the fraudulent PRD entry. Within hours of receiving that demand, the company changed my PRD from "professional disqualification" to "resignation."
I have two questions for those familiar with airline/fractional hiring or employment disputes:
1. Can my career damage be repaired?
I have friends involved in hiring at two companies that previously rejected me. Both indicate that even with the corrected PRD, permanent applicant records and internal "do not hire" flags may prevent reconsideration.
My attorney suggested obtaining a reference letter from my former employer, but the hiring professionals I've spoken with don't believe that would help.
Has anyone successfully overcome something similar? Is there anything specific I should request as part of a settlement to restore my employment opportunities, or are those doors effectively closed?
2. What should I be seeking in a settlement?
My attorney has made a seven-figure demand. I don't expect reinstatement and probably wouldn't want it. The PRD, though, has done a lot of damage to my career. I applied to hundreds of positions and got a lot of doors closed in my face as a result of the fraudulent PRD. Those opportunities are likely lost to me.
Beyond back pay, lost future earnings, and correcting the PRD, what remedies should I be considering? How do you compensate someone for potentially permanent damage to their aviation career? I've effectively been grounded for over two years. Many positions now require at least 100 hours of flight time within the previous 12 months, creating another significant obstacle to returning to work. Even with a corrected PRD, I now face the additional expense and time required to rebuild my flight-time recency. That's another consequence of what happened that I'm trying to address in settlement.
I'm intentionally withholding identifying details because litigation is ongoing, and I have counsel handling the legal issues. I'm primarily interested in practical advice from experienced pilots, hiring managers, and anyone who has dealt with similar circumstances. I just want to return to professional flying.
I did the right thing by refusing an unsafe aircraft. Two years later, my PRD is finally corrected, but the damage to my career remains. How do I fix that?
