Terminated

I'm not sure why aviation businesses seem to get away with stuff that would never fly in any other industry. I worked as an "independent contractor" CFI many moons ago, but I was in-fact my own boss and no money ever passed between management and myself (even though they had certain aircraft operating policies I was bound by).

Sounds like you were an "employee" not a "contractor". (If it walks like a duck.....)

That being said, I don't know many pilots (including the best major airline gigs) who get paid for every hour they're on duty. Pilots get paid when the plane is in motion, not for pre/post flight duties or waiting in the terminal for their next flight or anything else. I'm not sure why it's this way, but it's probably legal in the big iron world because every aspect of our employment is covered by a CBA, and of course even though we're paid by the hour we're guaranteed a certain minimum number of hours (salary?).

I'm not sure if this arrangement was legal or not, but try not to take it personally. It's business, not personal (even if you thought they were your friends). Welcome to the aviation business, where you probably haven't seen your last uncompensated hour of work.
 
It will not be the first time you will be screwed out of pay 121 and 135 gets away with it. In a 135 environment you can work 15 hours and only get paid for 8. Still not sure how they get away with it but they do. Its a different industry and comparing it to a 9-5 or even paying like a 9-5 is not practical, comparing it to a commission based job makes no sense at all. All segments of the industry are trying to get more out the pilots for less.

How flight schools get away with it I am not sure because the nature of it is more retail like than other parts of the industry. It is common for schools to coerce there CFIs to hand out or work for free. Getting paid 40 hours to work M-F 9-5 is very rare. Getting paid 20 hours for sitting at the airport for 6 long days a week is more the norm.

Now that you know what you are facing,

  • File for unemployment
  • contact the labor board
  • look for a better CFI gig with your eyes wide open.
  • Let your former students know where to find happier CFIs
  • Also post the schools name so others know to avoid it.

Good luck
 
To be fair some of us 135 guys have a long day but only really work 4 hours. The rest is just sitting around watching TV or movies between flights.
 
My old IT place I used to work at had us as 1099 employees, but were were salaried, yet required to be at a desk by 830...The owner told me when I interviewed that it "was easier for all parties". Not knowing any better, I took the job, and less then a year later Uncle Sam was breathing down his back...low and behold we became W-2 employees.

Your state may vary...wear your seatbelt...objects in mirror are larger then they appear.
 
Maurus said:
To be fair some of us 135 guys have a long day but only really work 4 hours. The rest is just sitting around watching TV or movies between flights.
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The way I call it is it takes 15 hours to get paid for 8 but you only work 6. However on some runs you can work up to 15 hours and only get paid 8.
 
Ajax BU said:
That was a quick turn around. I just got hired at another school! :rawk:
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Congrats! Maybe getting hired so quickly means this is the bow wave of a "pilot shortage?" (sarcasm) Keep focused on teaching them well and flying safely (while taking care of your old labor issue).
 
unfortunately we have not done a good job getting the word out to the noobs. Too many of them think this kind of operation is normal and paying your dues. I for one didn't know any different in the begining an didn't know about JC. We all need to remember this when and if we are ever asked to talk to a group of pilots or to a class at our alma maters. I know when I was in school the school always painted a rosey picture that was nothing like the real world when we graduated.
 
Maurus said:
To be fair some of us 135 guys have a long day but only really work 4 hours. The rest is just sitting around watching TV or movies between flights.
Click to expand...

I still hate that we go "off the clock". If you're not free to leave the airport, have a beer, and go home, as far as I'm concerned you're on duty and should be paid for it.
 
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