Slavery In Aviation

"Bob Dole" wrote in message
news:y4Erb.158869$e01.564060@attbi_s02...

If the place where I work is telling me to work hour's for free, what
should I do ?

I am worried that working for free is illegal, immoral, unethical, and
unprofessional, and I am also worried that it exposes me to the
possibility
of an IRS audit as I could be accused of getting paid "under the table"
(tax evasion etc.).

I appreciate any reply's.

(the following is spoken with an 'Arabian Nights' theme playing in the
background)

"Why YES there must be aviation slaves,,, servant, bring on the dancing
girls!!!......"

('Arabian Nights' theme abruptly ends as wife walks in and banishes the
dancing girls :-/ )


Seriously though, it is unethical and (under California labor law), illegal
for an employer to compel an employee to perform services for a firm, for no
compensation.

Find somewhere else to go, is probably the best approach. (if in California
((can't speak for other states)) send a concise well thought-out letter to
the labor commissioner's office - they will find this practice MOST
interesting).... I'm not an attorney,,, just my two cents (which may be
really what this advice is worth,,,, YMMV)

--
--
Good Flights!

Cecil E. Chapman, Jr.
PP-ASEL

"We who fly do so for the love of flying.
We are alive in the air with this miracle
that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"

- Cecil Day Lewis-

Check out my personal flying adventures: www.bayareapilot.com

----- Original Message -----
Seriously though, it is unethical and (under California labor law),
illegal
for an employer to compel an employee to perform services for a firm, for
no
compensation.


Indeed. But it depends on one's definition of "compensation". If he gets
hours out of it, I'm curious how your IRS would account for that -- a
non-cash remuneration.

Frankly, I'd fly for free to just build hours, assuming I was insured by the
company while doing so.

Greg.

Indeed. But it depends on one's definition of "compensation". If he gets
hours out of it, I'm curious how your IRS would account for that -- a
non-cash remuneration.

It's only the FAA that thinks that intangible job experiece is renumeration.

However, if you can put a dollar value on the compensation then it is generally
taxable. For example, if they let him rent the plane at no cost for his own use,
that's taxable, but the experience of doing his job (even though he is logging it)
isn't.

"Ron Natalie" wrote in message
. ..

Indeed. But it depends on one's definition of "compensation". If he gets
hours out of it, I'm curious how your IRS would account for that -- a
non-cash remuneration.

It's only the FAA that thinks that intangible job experiece is
renumeration.

They got it from the IRS and their version of "Wages and Salaries" (not what
the 16th originally defined).


However, if you can put a dollar value on the compensation then it is
generally
taxable. For example, if they let him rent the plane at no cost for his
own use,
that's taxable, but the experience of doing his job (even though he is
logging it)
isn't.

"Tom S." wrote in message ...

"Ron Natalie" wrote in message
. ..

Indeed. But it depends on one's definition of "compensation". If he gets
hours out of it, I'm curious how your IRS would account for that -- a
non-cash remuneration.

It's only the FAA that thinks that intangible job experiece is
renumeration.

They got it from the IRS and their version of "Wages and Salaries" (not what
the 16th originally defined).

Nope, the IRS doesn't hold that "job experience" is taxable.

"Greg Chapman" wrote in message |
| Frankly, I'd fly for free to just build hours, assuming I was insured by
the
| company while doing so.
|

And that is really the problem, isn't it? There are too many knotheads
willing to fly for free, so instructors cannot have a decent wage or working
conditions.

On 2003-11-11 02:28:06 -0800, "Greg Chapman" said

Frankly, I'd fly for free to just build hours, assuming I was insured by th
company while doing so

Uh huh. And I suppose the bank would let you live in your house for free just to build lending experience, and the electric company would provide free electricity just to build electrical exeperience

"Bob Dole" wrote in message news:y4Erb.158869$e01.564060@attbi_s02...

I am worried that working for free is illegal, immoral, unethical, and
unprofessional,

I'm not going to argue the latter three, but it's probably not illegal in
most cases.

and I am also worried that it exposes me to the possibility
of an IRS audit as I could be accused of getting paid "under the table"
(tax evasion etc.).

Unlikely.

Bob Dole wrote in message news:y4Erb.158869$e01.564060@attbi_s02...
If the place where I work is telling me to work hour's for free, what
should I do ?

Depends.

I am worried that working for free is illegal, immoral, unethical, and
unprofessional, and I am also worried that it exposes me to the possibility
of an IRS audit as I could be accused of getting paid "under the table"
(tax evasion etc.).

You left out "fattening" *g*

1) why are you instructing? if your primary motivation is to
build a lot of hours while someone else is paying for the plane
and you're getting paid (something), are you fulfilling your
motivation? Could you do so better somewhere else?
2) what is your employer wanting you to do "for free" and when?
3) was this explained to you when you took the job?

Oh, and last but not least: are you free to walk out the door
and take another job, or aren't you? There are plenty of slaves
in the world today. Usually people who are stolen from their
homes at gunpoint or children who are sold by desperately impoverished
parents, and forced to work under threat of physical harm under
whatever living conditions and hours their "owner" cares to
impose with no choice practically available to them.

It's horrible.

And somehow I doubt it applies to you.

Cheers,
Sydney

You are better off checking with your state's labor board than with this
news group.

Most states have minimum wage laws and they insist that you be paid for time
spent instructing, attending mandatory meetings, manning the pilot shop or
desk, locking up at night, etc. They also insist that all such time be
included when calculating mandatory overtime.

Flight schools attempt to avoid these laws either by flagrantly ignoring
them or by insisting that their instructors are 'independent contractors,'
which they are not. Flight instructors are not management, either.

If you think you have a legitimate beef, file a complaint with your state's
labor board.

Flight instructors are grossly underpaid as it is. Just because unfair labor
practices are common does not make them right.