drummerguy

A training contract is a tool some airlines use to offset training costs. Seaborne estimates at this point that it costs us about 13,000.00$ per pilot for training. This cost covers ground school with instructor, sim training with instructor and lodging, transportation and pay for candidates during training.

Training contracts are a hotly debated topic in the aviation industry. Companies use training contracts to ensure that after training you will work for the company for a period of time that allows them to recoup the investment they have made in you. Our training contract is 10,000$ for two years. If you finished training and then quit you would owe the airline 10,000$. If you quit after six months, you would owe 7500$ because you completed 25% of the contract and are responsible for the rest. If you quit after two years, you owe nothing (in other words, the contract is pro rated based on how much of it you complete).

Most pilots feel that training contracts are a bad thing. The thought is that the only time airlines need to be worried about training contracts is when working conditions are so bad that pilots don't stay long enough. With this in mind, I will be the first to tell you, we work very hard in the islands, with lots of take offs and landings. We fly a lot of legs, the work is hard, the pay is low and the cost of living is high. There are airlines that you can go to that probably pay better and the work is not quite as bad. Every one has to make up their own mind what they are looking for. If you want to live and fly in the Carribean, Seaborne offers lots of opportunity, we are a growing company. If you don't, no problem, there are lots of regional airlines on the mainland that are hiring. Either way, I wish you the best of luck.

drummerguy

By the way, I know smitteyb personally and he is a great guy and it is truly our loss that he did not choose to work here. In addition, I know Kelly personally and I'm sure this was a mis communication or oversight.

Kelly is tasked with lots of duties and this company is growing which requires hiring on lots of fronts, not just pilots. She not only recruits and interviews, she also takes care of a great deal of details for candidates once they reach the island including condo and car rentals.

To answer before anyone asks, no, I'm not Kelly, I'm ----- and I work as an instructor in the class, sim and airplane. I just don't like seeing SmittyB or Kelly being scrutinized in a public forum unjustly.

mpilot153

Thanks for the info! I wouldn't hold it against Seaborne for having a training contract. But it is essential information for making a decision.

The thought of shorts as part of the uniform, a cigar and umbrella drinks on the beach at the end of the day makes up for the training contract.

exdashtrash

You think you'll be able to afford that on first year pay? That's cute.

ClutchCargo

You will never find a cheaper bottle of good liquor than on STX.

PotatoChip

Black and Mild and a High Life with an umbrella. Done.

FlyJSH

Even better....



and

mpilot153

Touché. That's funny! Even the High Life might be too expensive.

I guess it'll be a can of Bush Light with an umbrella.

Still beats a glass of Evan Williams at EWR

PotatoChip

Hey now! I am drinking Evan as we speak! No umbrella though.

BB5184

Does it usually take a while to hear something back?