I dont think its unreasonable for a person to require a salary for two months while in training.
This individual has obviously done his research. He knows that he has financial obligations and needs to be able to support his family.
After all, we dont take jobs for the heck of it!
Comair needs to realize that there are certain people who will not be able to make that sacrifice.
Lets use airlinepilotpay.com and Chautauqua's first-year pay.
$22/hr. Lets assume they're paid a 70 hour guarantee while in training.
So thats $1540 per month or $3080 for the two month period during training. On top of that lets assume that the individual decides to get a hotel room during training (which Chautauqua, presumably, would pay for). The best deal i've seen on an extended stay hotel is $150/week. If our intrepid newhire shares a hotel room for the 2 month period we're adding another $600 to the kitty. So lets say around $3700 is the total. From that we'll subtract $2000 (the Comair $250/week) and we get $1700 as the COST of training at Comair vs. Chautauqua.
Thats nothing to sneeze at!
You know, at some point professional pilots need to realize that they've given up enough. We pay for type-ratings, some have paid for training, we got paid pennies to fly 19 seat turboprops and now we get pennies to fly 75 seat transcontinental jetliners.
Comair has a long training program. It's not unreasonable for a PROFESSIONAL pilot to expect to be compensated for his time during training. If they choose not to provide that, then they do so understanding that there are some candidates -- who might have been wonderful additions to the Comair family -- who will not be able to accept that opportunity.
For that individual, perhaps Chautauqua, Skywest, PSA, etc... might, in fact, be a better choice.
So, CMRFLYER -- don't be too hard on blackpilot628 for his concern. Chances are his daddy isn't footing the bill. He has bills to pay and is being responsible for himself and his family.
Sounds like a good man. Comair's loss.
