So, You've Signed a Bond

[Doc]

Things are going to start to move in this industry very shortly.
Many of you are sitting on very desirable experience. Turbine, PIC time. Time, that will become very attractive to companies like WestJet, Porter and a few others.
But, you've signed a bond! Or, even worse, you've actually given your present employer $$$$!
Not too Bright...but not the end of the world.
The phone rings. It's WJ! Or Cathay! Or Porter! Or AC! Or Jazz!
What ya going to do?
Here's what you do. Screw the bond! Bite the $$$$ bullet! Pack your bags and head off to the greener pastures!
The $$$$ you coughed up is gone anyway. Sure they'll pay you back. Maybe. Meanwhile, you're surviving without it. Right? It ain't there, and you're not starving, or living on KD. Right? Look back on that $$$ a couple of years down the road and, consider it part of the cost of furthering your career!
Ah, the dreaded bond. Screw it. Pack your bags. Send you ex-employer a stack of post dated cheques for the full amount, over the left over agreed upon time frame. Again, consider it a cost of doing business.
Amortize your loss over the next five or ten years. You'll find it REALLY cheap. Your returns will far outweigh your investment.
Make the move.
Am I encouraging pilots to skip out on their commitment? If you think so, reread this post.

[flying4dollars]

The phone rings. It's WJ! Or Cathay! Or Porter! Or AC! Or Jazz!
What ya going to do?
Here's what you do. Screw the bond!

While I appreciate the post, I think it goes without saying that bond or no bond, if your potential career employer calls you for a job, you take it. You don't turn down a career job for any reason other than "I lost my medical" (imo).

That being said, there are some companies out there that do implement bonds, however, depending on length of service and how well you've worked out, they do let you out of the bond if Air Canada or WestJet were to call. Sideways moves, not so much.

If people need to sign bonds to earn gainful employment, I don't necessarily have an issue with that. What I don't agree with is coming up with money upfront, or having the employer bond you for an amount greater than what it REALLY cost to train you, whether it's a dollar more, or 10,000. For example, a certain company is looking for over $20k for a King Air ppc. Sim or no sim, that is just ridiculous. This is where the legality of a signed bond needs to be questioned.

[Redneck_pilot86]

Until last year, I had never left a flying job before the agreed upon time was up, and had even refused to give my word on one position as I was ready to move on and didn't want to be tied down. This was just my word that I would stay, no money involved. Fast forward a year, and I was jobless and got offered a job flying a caravan in ontario. Training involved going to sim, and signing a $9300/ two year bond. Cash up front. Stupid, I know, and I will never make such a stupid mistake again. The company took 6 months to PPC me, paid what I think was too low for the job, and moral was crap. I got an offer for what some would consider a sideways move, same aircraft in a different part of the country, with over twice the pay, a better schedule, and coworkers who actually enjoy their job. I left owing $7000 on the bond and cut my losses. I made that back due to increased wages after about 10 weeks at my new job.
I think bonds are a way for shitty companies to try to keep employees, and shouldn't be legal. Non transferrable PPC's would have the same effect without costing so many underpaid pilots so much money.

[Doc]

Wouldn't mind keeping this thread away from fore or against bonds. That said, I'd have a harder time leaving a company that just had my hand shake, as opposed to a company who just wants to enslave me.
As for "lateral" moves. If you get up every morning, kick the dog, swear at the wife and kids, and hate your stinking job....ANY move is a good move! You only live once! Don't worry, be Happy....

[flying4dollars]

Wouldn't mind keeping this thread away from fore or against bonds. That said, I'd have a harder time leaving a company that just had my hand shake, as opposed to a company who just wants to enslave me.
As for "lateral" moves. If you get up every morning, kick the dog, swear at the wife and kids, and hate your stinking job....ANY move is a good move! You only live once! Don't worry, be Happy....

Now this I agree with. I made a similar post in another thread on here about a comment someone made about people making sideways moves because people think the grass is always greener. Just to reiterate, a sideways move is dependent on the person. If you're going to a company that will give you more of what you want vs your current company, then it's NOT a sideways move, regardless if it's the same aircraft or size of company or not. If there's a reason for you to leave your current job, then it's because the grass IS greener. I guess by some peoples definitions, I've made 2 'sideways' moves in my career. Funny, each one has been a big step up from the previous one. I don't call that moving sideways.

But, so as not to detract from the thread topic, I agree; don't let a bond prevent you from moving on to greener pastures. I would also encourage more people to challenge the cost of the bonds they may have to sign if applicable. If you have to sign one, make sure it's an amount that allows the company to recoup their training costs, NOT to make money off you leaving.

[Redneck_pilot86]

That said, I'd have a harder time leaving a company that just had my hand shake, as opposed to a company who just wants to enslave me.

That was essentially what I was trying to convey, I will stand by my word, but feel absolutely no loyalty to a company that needs cash up front or a signed promissory note.

[Bent wrench]

As for "lateral" moves. If you get up every morning, kick the dog, swear at the wife and kids, and hate your stinking job....ANY move is a good move! You only live once! Don't worry, be Happy....

sounds exactly like me 3 months ago. I totally agree with DOC sometimes you just have to fluck off

[Blakey]

I'd have a harder time leaving a company that just had my hand shake, as opposed to a company who just wants to enslave me.

Doc,

I was just warming up a nice rant about you counselling people to not honour the commitments they make when you pulled the rug out from under me with that sentence! I completely agree with the sentiment you express above. If the company demands a bond to hold you there, they are essentially stating what they consider to be the cost of releasing you from their employ; the loophole in the contract so to speak.

If the CP asks you to give your word that you will stay for a certain period of time following their paying for your training, then you have a moral problem if you wish to leave. The company may agree to release you from your promise or a financial repayment may still be negotiatied but there are no loopholes in a handshake!

Blakey

[ShadoeKnight]

If the CP asks you to give your word that you will stay for a certain period of time following their paying for your training, then you have a moral problem if you wish to leave. The company may agree to release you from your promise or a financial repayment may still be negotiatied but there are no loopholes in a handshake!

Blakey

Think that this needed to be said. To often we look at furthering our careers, and forget that it is just as important to HONOR our Handshakes be it verbal or an actual hand shake. Sometimes the best career move is just to stand by our Integrity, bite the nail and accept what happens it will give you a better job down the road. This is a small industry whatever you do try not to burn bridges, it could cost you a job down the road.

[Ned Ryerson]

Completely agree. Yes, in some ways, I would prefer a bond.