Colgan Training Contract

[captfloyd]

Anyone out there heard anything about Colgan coming after them in court for leaving early on their training contract?

 

[GateGirl]

So far Colgan hasnt come after anyone. But if they become desperate for money you better believe they will. Right now the company is doing okay so they wont come after you. It all depends.

 

[BSkin]

Not sure about whether or not they have come after anyone for the money, legally, because that costs them $ to get the $. Watch out for them trying to hinder your job possibilities at other companies if the contract is broken. Best bet is to get the year's worth of flying, then go. That is, unless you have a good opportunity, then go.

 

[climbhappy]

i would make sure and check credit reporting agencies well after you leave.

 

[Neil2112]

Not sure about whether or not they have come after anyone for the money, legally, because that costs them $ to get the $. Watch out for them trying to hinder your job possibilities at other companies if the contract is broken. Best bet is to get the year's worth of flying, then go. That is, unless you have a good opportunity, then go.

Real good point. If you break the contract you know you couldn't use them as a reference.

 

[FlightTraker]

Don't know if it was true, but when I was there I heard stories of someone having trouble getting a loan for a house later on in life for leaving early. Check your credit report if you do this.

FlightTraker

 

[efiscompmon]

YES they will file with a collection agency and YES it is on your credit report and YES it WILL affect your credit later in life.

 

[chperplt]

YES they will file with a collection agency and YES it is on your credit report and YES it WILL affect your credit later in life.

Does this topic hit a little too close to home??

 

[efiscompmon]

Who Me?

 

[chperplt]

Yea, you.. I assumed by the way you worded your reply that you have first hand knowledge of the situation.

 

[I Hate Freight]

"Breaking" the contract

Real good point. If you break the contract you know you couldn't use them as a reference.

The contract does not say you can't leave. The contract says that if you do leave you must repay all or a portion of your training costs. Therefore, if you leave and repay the costs, you have fulfilled the contract and not broken it.

IHF

 

[chperplt]

Real good point. If you break the contract you know you couldn't use them as a reference

Also remember that when a pilot moves from one carrier to another, we do not generally ask our previous carrier to act as a reference. By law, they are required to fill out all PRIA paperwork within 30 days. That is a law and not a reference.

 

[English]

Colgan does not always send out PRIA paperwork. I've been requesting mine since 2001 and still haven't received it. None of the employers I've had have since then have received it, either. I think there may be a provision where the prospective employer has to request the information, but they are under no jeopardy if they don't receive it.

Chperplt, did you get your copy of your PRIA paperwork when you went to Comair?

 

[chperplt]

Chperplt, did you get your copy of your PRIA paperwork when you went to Comair?

I did not get a copy sent to me as I requested, but I did see what they sent Comair.

 

[rk772]

YES they will file with a collection agency and YES it is on your credit report and YES it WILL affect your credit later in life.

Wouldn't the collection agency call you in an attempt to collect before they reported your credit? This would give you a hint that it's time to pay up or let your credit suffer.

 

[Justino]

Ok I had a late fee at Blockbuster Video and forgot to pay it. A collection guy called wanting his 5 bucks! I think if Blockbuster goes to collections for 5 bucks why wouldn't an airline!



Don't you think also if you make a commitment you should stick it out until your contract is over? I know I would. Why put your future at risk for a few more months of time at a company?

Just a half of my 2 cents !

Justino

 

[GateGirl]

Technically creditors are supposed to call, but you never know...


Its colgan... Haven't we learned anything yet?

 

[CL600Pilot]

Don't you think also if you make a commitment you should stick it out until your contract is over? I know I would. Why put your future at risk for a few more months of time at a company?

Just a half of my 2 cents !

Justino

Well that sounds good in a college ethics class but after a few years in the business you're probably going to have a different view on it. It's easy to sit there now and say that you wouldn't but often times the lines you think you will and won't cross get a little fuzzier when you get that call for your dream job and you still have 2 months left on a training contract. I'm not saying that you can/should just automatically disregard training contracts but there's usually a little more to it than it just being 'wrong'. I have aboslutley zero experience with Colgan but the other airlines/charter operators I've worked have have absoultley no problems breaking promisies they made to you yet they expect you to abide by a sometimes ridiculous training contract. I was offered a job as a King Air captain but they wanted me to sign a 2 year $30K nonprorated "training contract" - I asked if they were willing to sign a contract stating I'd have a job for at least 3 years - that was the end of the employment negotiations.

Moral of the story - it's not always 'black and white' out here in the Jungle.

CL

 

[Justino]

Good point CL. I don't have the experience yet and I guess it would be tough not to take the dream job over a contract. I have a lot to learn about this industry and I am glad guys like yourself share your information which makes me more aware about the reality of the job.


Thanks

Justino

 

[Doberman]

Less than a month ago, a pilot recieved a letter requesting payment. He has been gone nearly 2 years.