Changing History-Pilot wins Lawsuit

[Forest Gump]

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/new ... c0&k=47641

[CD]

Wow...

In case someone else is wondering what the story is about, here is the link with the title:

Record award: Ottawa ex-pilot wins $3M defamation award

[Changes in Latitudes]

I will admit I got a little sick reading that article. Good on him for getting some justice, but that's a scar that won't be healing in his lifetime.

[Liquid Charlie]

Good on him -- I have to wonder what the real reason for such an obvious black balling was.

[Dust Devil]

I can't imagine it could be that hard to find another flying gig because your last employer turfed you because of a rumor that you had a drink in hand 7 hours before a flight. I guess once some guys get to the big iron all other options vanish.

[CD]

After he was dismissed, Mr. Fennimore spent two years searching for a job. He was eventually offered one in July 2002 with Keewatin Air, but the offer was withdrawn. The jury found Mr. Walz repeated the allegations stemming from the Alexander Keith's party.

Keewatin Air is hardly "big iron". But if you have a former employer sabotaging any attempt you make at getting a job, that would make "all other options vanish" pretty quick.

[Go Guns]

I would have to guess there is much more to this story. Why would the cp go to the effort of blackballing him for two years or more? That sounds like something a bitter ex-wife would do. Why so emotionally involved?

[Dust Devil]

After he was dismissed, Mr. Fennimore spent two years searching for a job. He was eventually offered one in July 2002 with Keewatin Air, but the offer was withdrawn. The jury found Mr. Walz repeated the allegations stemming from the Alexander Keith's party.

Keewatin Air is hardly "big iron". But if you have a former employer sabotaging any attempt you make at getting a job, that would make "all other options vanish" pretty quick.

good point. I didn't see that line. Still something seems to be missing

[Airtids]

Wonder what kind of airplane he's going to buy. Warbird?

[Dust Devil]

Wonder what kind of airplane he's going to buy. Warbird?

after seeing the video of the mosquito I think that might be my choice. can you fit a golf bag in a mosquito?

[Rockie]

There may or may not be more to this story than reported, but the jury doesn't seem to think so. And my own dealings with this CP completely support the indiscretion and total lack of judgement or fair treatment described in this award. I heartily applaud Mr. Fennimore for having the tenacity to fight back in the face of such demoralizing injustice. He deserves the money and Skyservice deserves to pay it.

[tsgas]

It's about time . I would like to see more C..P's .and companies sued for trying to destroy pilot's careers.
Too many Slimebuckets have caused undue pain and suffering because pilots have held they ground .

[randallg]

Mr. Fennimore would be earning $152,000 a year plus benefits if he were still flying today.

How reasonable is this? From the way commercial pilots talk around here it sounds unlikely at best.

[Rockie]

Mr. Fennimore would be earning $152,000 a year plus benefits if he were still flying today.

How reasonable is this? From the way commercial pilots talk around here it sounds unlikely at best.

That's accurate.

[mantogasrsrwy]

....................................................................................................................................................

[Dash-Ate]

good for him!! I met him a few years ago in yg.

but I didn't want to pry into the details.

Don't like the warbird cracks. Consider that he may have debts to pay off and people who helped him and lawyers fees will eat up a lot I imagine.

[saucer_driver]

I am happy for this guy. I know what it is to be blacklisted in this industry, maybe not to this degree but you can still feel the effect. There is a person in Ottawa who feels it is his duty to do this to young people who he doesn't approve of, until of late he and I were on good terms but since I had a turn of bad luck he has decided to pass on bad references, even if unsolicited. I have never felt so betrayed, but I chock it up to ignorance and hope that some people will give me a good chance, and will be respectful of me and who I am.....It is sad, I thought this practice would eventually die off with the older folks in this industry but it appears this individual has a young chipmunk under his wing who feels it is appropriate to spread false rumors about people to others in the industry. The sadest part of all this it that I have witnessed this being done to others and I never thought it would be me. Ah well, not going to let them get the best of me.

[bobcaygeon]

This airline loves to pay out cash. They fired the capt. who bent the 67 a couple of years ago and they had to pay him a settlement too. Now he flies 330's for big money elsewhere.

I guess they'll have to cram even more seats on their planes to cover this. How many extra can you seat if you take out the Lavs????

[tsgas]

That's what happens when an FBO (ramprats) try to run an airline without seeking experienced/compedent airline personnel to manage it for them.

[Red Line]

Yup, I too have been betrayed by an employer for reasons totally beyond my control. It was EXCEEDINGLY difficult to get a new job. I feel for the guy! THIS is why pilots need to be united and have protection.

[sanjet]

3 million must leave a big mark on the financial statement for them, insurance maybe? So much for the one engine taxi's...
Good for him

[. .]

Mr. Fennimore would be earning $152,000 a year plus benefits if he were still flying today.

How reasonable is this? From the way commercial pilots talk around here it sounds unlikely at best.

randallg: We aren't talking about some ramp rat in Yellowknife that was unjustly fired here and is suing for a lifetime of compensation. We're talking about someone who's been in command of transport category jets, and is flying for one of the top "airline" type companies in our country. He would have had a seniority number and with that number you could paint a very real picture of his career progression and earnings. If anything the 3 million is a low ball figure. Surely that doesn't take into account the medical benefits and pension he will have lost. I say good on this guy!

[Airtids]

good for him!! I met him a few years ago in yg.

but I didn't want to pry into the details.

Don't like the warbird cracks. Consider that he may have debts to pay off and people who helped him and lawyers fees will eat up a lot I imagine.

Don't get me wrong- I understand the debt issue as well. My post was two-pronged, one was a comment on the lawyers as referenced to the Warbird thread, and two was that I hope he gets to fly what he wants, when he wants, where he wants, etc.

[Hedley]

Speaking of vindictiveness ... I don't even want
an apology. I just would some day like to be
able to fly in an airshow in the country of which
I am a citizen of, and a taxpayer.

I know, too much to ask for.

[Jungle Jim]

Hedley,

You have said similar things in the past. It looks like you have had the appproriate training and the right aircraft for airshows. What's the issue with TC?

Jim