Dumb Question. How do I resign

[flagshipper]

I have never officially resigned before and was not sure how to do it. Do I just walk in a letter to the chief pilot's office or can I just fax one and what does the letter say. I am willing to take all the insults I deserve for asking a dumb*$$ question but "I gots to know"

 

[NightFlight]

Actually, I think it's an excellent question. I would certainly walk it in-or at least mail it in. Just remember never to burn any bridges. This is a small world.

 

[Guitar Guy]

It's best to document your resignation, be it via e-mail, fax or certified letter. As for the content of your letter, keep it professional and state when your last day of employment will be. Express gratitude for your employement, if that's appropriate in your circumstance. I wouldn't spell out where your next job will be. And above all, remember that you don't want to burn any bridges - aviation is a rather small community.

 

[Inconceivable]

REMEMBER THAT YOUR RESIGNATION LETTER WILL LIKELY BE INCLUDED IN YOUR PRIA FILE!!!!

May I suggest a one or two sentence letter to the CP stating the desire to resign and the effective date--and nothing more.

 

[Clutch_Cargo]

Inconceivable is correct... which is inconceivable! (Sorry man, had to take the opportunity! ) The motto is: Never complain, never explain. Thank them for the opportunity, tell them you are resigning and give the effective date. I wouldn't fax it unless they asked for it that way... walk it in or mail it. Good luck!

cc

BTW, you might ask Kathy (Resume Writer)... she probably has some good advice on this subject.

 

[PCL_128]

You're actually getting out of this hole Flagshipper? Where you off to?

 

[skiddriver]

Check your contract or company rules and ensure that the letter is delivered (not postmarked) allowing the required notification (normally 14 days). A former employer can stink up your references if you bug out without proper notice, and for some, a day short doesn't cut it.

 

[Dave Benjamin]

REMEMBER THAT YOUR RESIGNATION LETTER WILL LIKELY BE INCLUDED IN YOUR PRIA FILE!!!!

May I suggest a one or two sentence letter to the CP stating the desire to resign and the effective date--and nothing more.

I guess you have never seen what a PRIA file looks like.
You won't find a copy of your resignation letter.
It's always good to give as much notice as possible but be careful about giving too much in case your class date gets changed.

My resignation letter would say something like this:

Dear (insert name of chief pilot),

I would like to resign my position as captain effective xx xx xxxx.

I will always be grateful for the opportunities XYZ Airlines has provided. I've enjoyed the job and will miss seeing many of my coworkers.

(If applicable) My new mailing address is ...............

 

[Scapegoat]

Take a leave of absence instead! You may have to come back!

 

[PCL_128]

Take a leave of absence instead! You may have to come back!

Pinnacle doesn't give leaves of absence for anything. We've had guys quit because they couldn't get a leave of absence for serious family issues. Trust me, the company just doesn't care about us at all.

 

[CapnVegetto]

If you work at Mesa, the procedure is to walk straight into JO's office, (the "open door" policy) in full effect, drop your pants, lay a nice big turd right on the middle of his desk, and stick a little flag it it that says "bite me."

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Do it Johnny Paycheck style!
http://www.exzel.com/music/wav_ra/shovejob.wav

 

[Stifler's Mom]

If you work at Mesa, the procedure is to walk straight into JO's office, (the "open door" policy) in full effect, drop your pants, lay a nice big turd right on the middle of his desk, and stick a little flag it it that says "bite me."

 

[Catbird]

Piss on the POH and OM. Wipe your ass with your ID and place in plastic bag with manuals. Send signature required. It will bring smiles the rest of your life.

 

[Inconceivable]

Dave--

Actually, I used to worked for EXA (now called PCL) and saw the entire contents of my file which were sent to background checking company that I hired in early '02. EVERY piece of paperwork that went through HR, including a letter to Jon Young about payroll discrepancies in 1999 were included, as well as a copy of the resume that I applied with and the PRIA requests from AA in 2001. (Really nice, letting SWA know that I applied to NWA and AA--thanks!) Back then this was done by Kim M., but am actual professional may be doing it now

I know what is SUPPOSED to be in the file, but they shipped over an inch of paper--my point being that it's a lot easier to deal with before you find a pressing sensation in your a$$, trying to explain something to your new, soon-to-be-former employer!

 

[b82rez]

Dave--

Actually, I used to worked for EXA (now called PCL) and saw the entire contents of my file which were sent to background checking company that I hired in early '02. EVERY piece of paperwork that went through HR, including a letter to Jon Young about payroll discrepancies in 1999 were included, as well as a copy of the resume that I applied with and the PRIA requests from AA in 2001. (Really nice, letting SWA know that I applied to NWA and AA--thanks!) Back then this was done by Kim M., but am actual professional may be doing it now

I know what is SUPPOSED to be in the file, but they shipped over an inch of paper--my point being that it's a lot easier to deal with before you find a pressing sensation in your a$$, trying to explain something to your new, soon-to-be-former employer!

I got curious, and just looked at my file shipped off from my flight instructing job to my current employer (6 years ago), a 121 gig.

In it is not only my letter of resignation, but also every conceivable piece of paperwork that I competed including a very obscure 127 question quiz that I had to take before I was allowed to instruct in their multi.

Lesson is...be professional, polite, and brief. Understand that this letter might follow you around for a long while.

 

[Dave Benjamin]

Sounds like some companies do a lot more than is required. The PRIA files I've seen don't contain anywhere near that much info.

Back to the original question I think the simple polite letter that we've been talking about suffices. Most likely a new employer is not going to pore over the details that close. Never burn a bridge in this business. Why would anyone want to submit a resignation letter that contains anything other than the fact they're leaving and date of their last day?

 

[stb]

One thing to remember....

Figure out how to get home if you jumpseat!!!!
If you are planning to leave a company 6 months ,a year etc, always "Lose" your ID. Turn one in on your last day of work then "find" the other ID and jumpseat home on that ID. The $20 ID replacement is better than buying a plane ticket home.
I cant tell you how many pilots quit turn in their ID then cant get through security to jumpseat home or have an id to jumpseat.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Figure out how to get home if you jumpseat!!!!

There ya go, get caught in a fraudulent act. That will further your career!
How about this one? Use your remaining vacation and/or sick time for that last week or so (or even a couple of days), and jumpseat to where you wish to go, and mail your ID via registered, return-receipt, to your HR rep. Worked for me at my last company and I didn't have to sweat being seen by someone who knew me.
For all you sky-lawyers out there, would falsely claiming to be an airline employee for purposes of air travel be a felony nowadays?

 

[Flechas]

There ya go, get caught in a fraudulent act. That will further your career!
How about this one? Use your remaining vacation and/or sick time for that last week or so (or even a couple of days), and jumpseat to where you wish to go, and mail your ID via registered, return-receipt, to your HR rep. Worked for me at my last company and I didn't have to sweat being seen by someone who knew me.
For all you sky-lawyers out there, would falsely claiming to be an airline employee for purposes of air travel be a felony nowadays?

I don't think you have to be a sky lawyer to figure that one out. If you do that, TSA will evacuate the terminal, Washington's airspace will be closed for a day, and you will be taken to jail as a possible terrorist...

 

[Guitar Guy]

Figure out how to get home if you jumpseat!!!!
If you are planning to leave a company 6 months ,a year etc, always "Lose" your ID. Turn one in on your last day of work then "find" the other ID and jumpseat home on that ID. The $20 ID replacement is better than buying a plane ticket home.
I cant tell you how many pilots quit turn in their ID then cant get through security to jumpseat home or have an id to jumpseat.

What most of my co-workers and I did at the regional we worked at was to send the company and airport ID's back after you got home. I believe we had a 3-4 day window after our last day to return them. I sent mine via certified and insured delivery with no problem.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

Pinnacle doesn't give leaves of absence for anything. We've had guys quit because they couldn't get a leave of absence for serious family issues. Trust me, the company just doesn't care about us at all.

Not to get off topic, but doesn't the family medical leave act require employers to give unpaid leaves for reasons like family emergencies.

 

[PCL_128]

Not to get off topic, but doesn't the family medical leave act require employers to give unpaid leaves for reasons like family emergencies.

Well, not that our company pays any attention to federal law anyway, but you have to be continuously employed by the company for a certain amount of time to be eligible for FMLA if I remember correctly.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I suppose that's true, I think it is a year.

 

[crzepilot]

Don't resign until you have burned up all your sic time...so call in sick for your next trip and then send in your letter the day before you want to quit.

 

[English]

...mail your ID via registered, return-receipt, to your HR rep. Worked for me at my last company...

I sent mine back via FedEx (because I had worked there a while and knew how they operated). They actually lost my ID after they signed for it and made it out like I never sent it back. After a month of showing them the tracking number reference on the FedEx website and getting the MEC prez involved, they finally admitted I did send it back

The moral is, do keep the receipt!!!!!!!!

 

[Way2Broke]

DAVE BENJAMIM,
THANKS DUDE, I JUST QUIT MY JOB WITH THAT LETTER. QUICK AND TO THE POINT. AIRLINES HERE IS COME JUNE 1st.

 

[crzepilot]

Congratulations

Congratulations, I'm happy for you and good luck

 

[Cosmo1999]

Figure out how to get home if you jumpseat!!!!
If you are planning to leave a company 6 months ,a year etc, always "Lose" your ID. Turn one in on your last day of work then "find" the other ID and jumpseat home on that ID. The $20 ID replacement is better than buying a plane ticket home.
I cant tell you how many pilots quit turn in their ID then cant get through security to jumpseat home or have an id to jumpseat.

How about just making it so your last day is a couple days after your last trip on one of your days off? That way you can jumpseat home and fedex your badge when you get home. Most companies give you the option of mailing your equipment or walking it in if you are based where HQ is. The only requirement is that you have all the stuff turned in within 24 hours of your last day of employment from what I know. You dont have to just turn in your ID and manuals the second your trip ends. I do not know if this is how its done at every company but legally it just has to be in within 24 hours of your last day. Sheesh dont make it more difficul than it needs to be. This is the method I used and I got home for free.