Training Contracts...

at Republic I believe it's a 2 year $12,000 pro rated, I know 4 who have left before that mark and 1 was notified of repayment and he left under less then ideal circumstances.
 
Training costs are part of the company's overhead, and employees should not be expected to absorb such costs anywhere.

I wish we all lived in a perfect world where companies did not need to protect themselves against pilots who jump ship after giving their word that they would stay. Since this is not the world we live in, I understand the need for training contracts.

However,
Great Lakes is 7,500 non pro rated + interest, 15 months, even if you were terminated the day before your 15 months is up you owe them.
This is total BS.


A training contract should never be for more than 12 months, more than the direct cost of training, and only apply if the pilot resigns before the 12 months is up.

At the last company I worked for, there was a 12 months 3,500 contract. Many pilots moved on to bigger and better things after 10-11 months with the company's blessing. I entered the job knowing that I might have to move after 8 months due to my wife's career. They understood that up front, and amended the contract to release me if we had to move.
 
My company is starting to do the same thing with new hires. I personally have not seen the contract but will soon when I go for a second type.

However rumor has it that there is a "No Compete" Clause in it. Where if you leave during the contract period AND pay back the pro-rated amount you cannot work with X miles radius of the flight departments home airport. But I haven't seen it yet and this really concerns me as Im in the northeast and that covers a huge area of opportunities. While I don't plan on leaving during the contract (2 yr) should something happen this could be a real issue
 
However rumor has it that there is a "No Compete" Clause in it. Where if you leave during the contract period AND pay back the pro-rated amount you cannot work with X miles radius of the flight departments home airport. But I haven't seen it yet and this really concerns me as Im in the northeast and that covers a huge area of opportunities. While I don't plan on leaving during the contract (2 yr) should something happen this could be a real issue


Non compete clauses are generally nonsense and unenforceable except in specific cases where it would cause damage to the employer.
 
My company is starting to do the same thing with new hires. I personally have not seen the contract but will soon when I go for a second type.

However rumor has it that there is a "No Compete" Clause in it. Where if you leave during the contract period AND pay back the pro-rated amount you cannot work with X miles radius of the flight departments home airport. But I haven't seen it yet and this really concerns me as Im in the northeast and that covers a huge area of opportunities. While I don't plan on leaving during the contract (2 yr) should something happen this could be a real issue

Non compete clauses are generally nonsense and unenforceable except in specific cases where it would cause damage to the employer.

You will, of course, need to check with someone in your jurisdiction, but non-competes are not enforceable in California.
 
My company is starting to do the same thing with new hires. I personally have not seen the contract but will soon when I go for a second type.

However rumor has it that there is a "No Compete" Clause in it. Where if you leave during the contract period AND pay back the pro-rated amount you cannot work with X miles radius of the flight departments home airport. But I haven't seen it yet and this really concerns me as Im in the northeast and that covers a huge area of opportunities. While I don't plan on leaving during the contract (2 yr) should something happen this could be a real issue


That's a new one, and total bull in my opinion.
 
My company has recently brought up the idea of having new hires and upgrades sign contracts, but as CP I continue to oppose the idea. As I see it, if we treat pilots well and provide them with the best possible QOL we can give them in on-demand 135 they will stay on their own. People tend to bail on an employer when something better comes along, so we're trying to make it harder to find something better. It's understandable that pilots are going to leave eventually, but good QOL, good equipment, and good working environment can reduce attrition and the need for contacts.

You pretty much hit the nail square on the head here. I don't understand why so many employers find this concept difficult to understand. If you pay your employees a respectable wage/salary, and treat them well, then the chances of them leaving are going to be much lower.

The only companies that require training contracts are usually those whose pay and/or QOL is so terrible, it's the only way of retaining employees.
 
I did one with AMF, and at the time had the full intention of working there a year anyways.
Now, the only way I'd sign a training contract is if it was a two way street. My employment would also have to be guaranteed at X rate for the entire duration.
 
My company has recently brought up the idea of having new hires and upgrades sign contracts, but as CP I continue to oppose the idea. As I see it, if we treat pilots well and provide them with the best possible QOL we can give them in on-demand 135 they will stay on their own. People tend to bail on an employer when something better comes along, so we're trying to make it harder to find something better. It's understandable that pilots are going to leave eventually, but good QOL, good equipment, and good working environment can reduce attrition and the need for contacts.

Although I don't know you, or what company you work for, I can safely say that you are a stand up person and I bet you are a great CP. You have the right attitude. We need more leaders like you.
 
My current company requires a 2 year for Initial training contracts, and 1 year for new hire recurrents. FO's do not need to sign any contracts.
 

Retroactive? Why is it a big deal now when it wasn't when the employee first got hired. That'd leave a VERY sour taste in my mouth.

Tell me about it. Very sad.


How much time do you have to review the training contract? Long enough to allow me to get my law firm to look at it?


Fortunately I am not directly involved and am not under the gun to sign anything. Several of my colleagues are however. They were blindsided by this (retroactively, mind you) and basically told you'll need to sign this now or else.
 
Fortunately I am not directly involved and am not under the gun to sign anything. Several of my colleagues are however. They were blindsided by this (retroactively, mind you) and basically told you'll need to sign this now or else.

What are the laws regarding employers holding employees responsible for job related training? In VA, all it would take us a good lawyer to get a training contract kicked to the courthouse curb.
 
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