CharlieFoxtrot

Hey all,

so I'm in a bit of a pickle right now and could really use some words of wisdom/advice. Here's my situation.

I interviewed for a regional airline a couple of months back and was offered a class date starting at the end of August here (2 weeks from now).

Today an HR person at the airline called me and said that based on my PRIA paperwork one of my past employers stated that they would not hire me back. Due to this, the airline was calling me and telling me that they no longer would be offering me a class date/job. . . .

What the heck right? The only thing that I can think of is that I was flight instructing for a 141 school for 2 years, and it was the same 141 school that I did all of my training at (you know, spent $100,000 dollars at.....). Well, I ended up resigning from that position this past spring due to many factors. The chief flight instructor, at the 141 school, and I butted heads on a few things, and I had had enough. At the same time, I had another job, I was a chief flight instructing at a local FBO, so I decided to do what was best for me, and I resigned from the 141 school.

So based on all of that I know PRIA paperwork was sent to my 141 school and I am assuming that the regional I was "hired" at called and asked about me. Apparently nothing good was said.

So now I am **** out of luck because I already left my other flight instructing job at the FBO and made arrangements for this regional and my class was suppose to start in 2 weeks and now I don't have a job.

So....yeah..... thoughts?/advice....??

seattlepilot

First of all, you have the right to request copies of all those paperwork that is filled out by the employers. Request it!

Second of all, is there a reason you cannot go back to the CFI position that you just resigned from ? FBOs are looking for CFIs, regionals are looking for pilot.

Thirdly, apply everywhere. Regionals are hiring. If you cannot get a job in a regional right now, that means there is serious issues. (not being profficient, not goog attitude, etc. etc. )

Lastly, think twice about getting into heated conversation with your boss (Chief FI). Most of the time they are more experienced than you and there are certain thigs to bring it up, do it tactfully.

My $0.01

CharlieFoxtrot

I'm never the person to start anything. I always bite my lip and keep my mouth shut/head down and do my duty. But I do feel as if my former Chief FI has always had it out for me every since I started flight training at the 141 school years ago. He's the kind of guy that is not a leader but more of a politician. The flight instructors at my 141 were unionized (rare I know right?) and the union and the Chief FI (essentially management) were always getting into it over one thing or another. In fact, after I had resigned the union contacted me saying that I should have filed a grievance and went through a few processes before putting in my notice. In hindsight now, they were right. . . .

Anyway, yes I realize that essentially all of the regionals are hiring right now. However, the crappy part is I already had interviewed and was offered a tentative offer for an FO position. Now it seems I have to go through that whole process again with another regional. What I fear is that I will get to this step again and whatever my former Chief FI submits on PRIA will preclude me from landing a job anywhere.

I am currently trying to touch base with my former Chief FI's boss (who I know pretty well as he was one of my former professors and I worked under him at one point) to see if he can do anything/what he recommends.

seattlepilot

I would get in touch with the company that turned you down and tell them you made a mistake for not requesting the release of information. See what they wrote there for you.

I have been to the both sides of the story : filled out PRIA forms for former instructors. The ones that I had a problem with I simply put "Not rehireble" Mostly because of attendance issues, not because of the personality clashes.
if they put something a lot more than that, then it's a problem.

Then you have to move on. Bad and unfortunate stuff happen to good people every day, every hour.

You have to choices: talk about this and feel miserable or go through the whole process again.

Sometimes things happen for a reason.

rickair7777

You're probably SOL with the regional in question, but there are many others who will hire you with ATP mins and a pulse...literally. Of course they may not be the best places to work.

Pilots aspiring to airline careers are far more exposed to to the whims of previous employers than a normal job applicant. Keep that in mind and avoid any friction with future employers and bosses...if you don't like an employment situation, resign professionally giving at least two weeks written notice (or more if the company policy requires it).

You could discuss this with a lawyer, depending on the circumstances you might have a case against the former employer but on the other hand it's probably not a good idea for an aspiring airline pilot to have a public record of suing past employers. Lawsuits are public record forever, and many or most high-end employers will search for those.

CharlieFoxtrot

So here's an update. I spoke with my former Chief FI's boss and explained the situation to him. He seemed very displeased with everything.

Ultimately he told me that he does not care if I was right or wrong in leaving and that my personal spats with the Chief should not matter nor affect my ability to land a job. He was very concerned that a former student, who went through the program and than instructed for a couple of years, was now being mistreated and unable to get a job. He felt that this is a terrible message to send about how they treat their former students / employees.

He gave me permission to give his contact info and his word that whatever information was submitted on PRIA would be superseded by what he has to say to the regional. I have since called the regional and left a message with the HR lady that I spoke to yesterday.

Here is the kicker of the whole story, I am currently training for my ATP certificate / Type Rating on a Citation via a scholarship that I received from my 141 school. It's all paid for from from the scholarship from my 141 school. My checkride is next week and than I was suppose to ship off to the airline for training in 2 weeks.

Brokeasspot

Not sure what can be done now, but I'd suggest using this guy as the contact for the next pria. I know that's not helping your morale now, but from someone who has had plenty of downfalls in this business, you will and I stress WILL overcome this and laugh about it one day. Hopefully the day your sitting in the cockpit and see the prick sitting in the back as a passenger on the way to some super bad CFI convention!!! Good luck!!!

JamesNoBrakes

PRIA, btw, is just the previous company faxing or sending your paper employment records to the prospective employer. It usually consists of checkride/flight performance for air carriers and some kind of summary stating why the person no longer works there. There are no telephone calls involved, unless the prospective employer gets the records and then wants to follow up on something. You have a right to see those same records under the PRIA law as well, so the most important thing for you to do is to get a copy of those records.

Electra

Don't let it be a black cloud over your head; we've all worked for people we can't stand, you will continue to experience it throughout your career. It sucks that your previous supervisor was vindictive, but look at it from the airline's perspective: nobody wants to hire someone who is potentially going to be difficult to work with (even if that isn't really you), so they are giving a lot of weight to a report that your previous employer won't welcome you back. Keep us updated with what happens with your now-rescinded offer from the airline. In the meantime, YES, get a copy of your PRIA so you can see what the airlines will receive. If things don't get worked out so you get your offer of employment and class date again at your airline, time to find a plan B.

Get a letter of recommendation from your former Chief's boss. Apply elsewhere, and then use the HR interview as your opportunity to get in front of a negative report that they likely won't pull for a few days. Explain, in a balanced and professional manner (don't be emotional and take responsibility where you should, don't resort to name-calling) that you had a difference of opinion/personality clash with your former supervisor that led you to resign. Highlight the good work you did for your flight school and the scholarship you received. Show them any and all letters of recommendation you have. If the response you receive dictates it, explain what you have learned from the experience regarding working with/for someone you don't agree with. Above all, don't sound like you're making excuses, the weight is on you to convince your prospective employer that you are well-equipped to handle disagreements and frustration in a mature and professional manner ('cause you will encounter a LOT of it in the flight deck, on reserve, and with company policy grievances). Good luck!