Regional Airline Contracts and Effects on ANG Hiring
Hello Everyone,
This is a pretty specific situation, but I am curious on anyone’s thoughts or suggestions. I am a CFI currently going through the process of preparing to apply to guard units. I also have a strong interest in flying for the regionals soon, if given the opportunity, but understand that several companies I know of have a contract that obligates new-hires to complete as many as 5 years of service or a certain number of hours PIC (both which I could see potentially taking years).
I would love to fly for both a guard unit and an airline, but I recently was under the impression that guard units prefer selectees to be full-time for their first several years. I worry that by accepting a contract for a regional airline, I may make myself unhirable for a guard slot, as I am about to turn 24 and in another 5 years I could see it being more of a challenge getting selected to fly fighters. Is this a reasonable concern or are there other factors that I may not be aware of? Is it possible to fly airlines part-time and guard full-time? I would like to keep my options open to whatever job I can obtain first, but I would much rather prioritize my chances of obtaining a UPT slot if it meant not taking a contract.
- 2 Replies
Hey Matt, you don’t need to worry about the regional contract if a Guard unit hires you. You would be protected under USERRA, which allows you to take military leave for up to five years to complete your training and seasoning orders with the squadron. The regional contract is meant to prevent you from leaving for another regional or major airline, not from pursuing a military opportunity. I attached a link so you can do your own research.
USERRA | U.S. Department of Labor
Hope this helps.
Zachary,
Thank you, this does help. I have heard of USERRA but did not realize it applies to seasoning orders as well. I appreciate the response!
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