Expert: Ned Dolan - 2/17/2007

Question
Hello,

  Thanks for your time. My question regards the obligations of a newly hired pilot for a major regional airline. My situation is the following; I have been offered a first officer position in a major regional airline. I have been also offered a position as an Air Traffic Controller with the FAA. I am loaded up with loans and my financial situation dictates that I choose the job with the FAA which pays twice as much and will be paying more with progress. The pilot job is available immediately, the ATC job is available in 4 months. Flying is my love, but I WILL (have to) join ATC. Is it dumb to accept the first officer position, then possibly leave the job within 4 months? Im I abided by contract to serve a certain period, and if not, pay  the training expenses ?

    I appreciate any help,   Thank you

Answer
Hi Vladimir, most flying jobs do not include a contract that would require repayment for training. That said, let me be very clear about the fact that taking a job that requires a months training and leaving after 3 months on the line would be not be a moral or ethical thing to do.

I strongly suggest that you take one job or the other.

Ned