Shlomo Charaz, married with six children, came to Baltimore from Eretz Yisroel seven years ago to pursue his dream of becoming a professional pilot.
However, his dreams were shattered.
Shlomo shares his story:
Over three years of study, I obtained four aviation licenses ranging from private pilot to commercial pilot.
Additionally, I attained three instruction licenses, private to multi-engine. To reach my goal of accumulating 1500 flight hours required to work as an airline pilot, I began working as a flight school instructor near Washington D.C. After achieving the 1500-hour milestone, I began submitting my resume to airlines and was accepted by one of the largest regional companies on the East Coast.
During the recruitment process, I informed the recruiter that I am a Torah-observant Jew and cannot work on Shabbat. To my pleasant surprise, the recruiter mentioned that they would be willing to accommodate that. The company I was supposed to start working for, has a home base at the Newark airport, so my family and I decided to move to Lakewood. to be closer to work.
I entered the company training program, and on the second Shabbat they already scheduled a flight Sim Lesson for me, of course, I didn’t show up and asked not to schedule for study or work on Shabbat, and the unexpected and unfortunate result was an immediate dismissal letter…
To conclude, I have been sitting at home for three months without a job or any income…
I started working here at Lakewood Airport as a flight instructor on 2 light single-engine aircraft that belong to a good friend, I offer flying lessons, ground instruction, and discovery and fun flights for the all family.
Praying to God to help me find a profitable and respectful job in one of the private jet companies.
Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is in the position to assist, please reach out to [email protected]
I know a Frum Airline pilot that has been working out of the Baltimore/Washington area for decades with no Shabbos (or any other Halachic) issues.
Perhaps there’s more to this story?
@Flying J
Yeah, I don’t know anything about this story, but the main airline to have a home base at Newark is United Airlines, and we know how much of a love they have for Jews. So I don’t think he’s making anything up, I just think that your example is different.
So your default is “Antisemitism”?
When there is no proof or information your default is “Antisemitism”?
There’s a pilot shortage & airlines are desperate to hire pilots. But since United is based in Newark & there has been an incident or 2 (if we know the whole story) let’s assume “Antisemitism”
What a sad & stressful way to go through life thinking everyone is out to get me.
@Flying J
And you think that spurning every distressed letter on TLS with your “perhaps there’s more to the story” is a nice default? Enough. Let the person speak without your doubts every time.
I would be interested in reading this pilots employment contract. Commercial jet pilots bid for routes and flying times based on their collective bargaining agreements.
Dear pilot Shlomo:
At the moment I don’t have a job to offer you but a few words of Chizuk. A Yid never loses out for keeping shabbos. Shabbos will pay you back 10x fold + , stay strong and the yeshuah will come in an unexpected way.
Am Yisrael Chai!
I’d suggest you apply for a job with EL-AL
That’s based in Israel
You can’t really live in America doing that
I think EL-AL requires army service
Aren’t there laws against with regard to the airline not being able to terminate him for this?
I feel like Agudah did lobbying & backed lawsuits to this effect(?)..
Is there any written / paper trail in which the airline /employer mentioned being ok with the employee not working on shabbos?
I think you can sue the company for lying to you, causing you much financial lost.
In the 60’s Supreme Court ruled that airlines are exempt from needing to give religious leave. Since otherwise they will not be able to function on christian holidays like Christmas with most of thier pilots taking lesve on top of the pilot shortage.
Get a lawyer and sue.
Many years ago COLPA (National Jewish Commission On Law & Public Affairs) volunteer lawyers won a landmark case such as yours and then offered to sue for damages. I think Agudah now has a legal dept that offers similar services. In Law details do matter so it’s important to get proper professional guidance. What you’ve described is against the law and I urge you contact these organizations to help determine if you have any recourse for compensation (even if you aren’t interested in working for that airline again). COLPA can be reached at 212-641-8892. Hatzlacha
if you already moved to Lakewood why not join Kollel and sit and learn while you keep up the job search like this you will be taking advantage of the best this town has to offer and no other place comes even a close second…
“No other place comes even a close second..”
I think many other Torah communities (esp ones with a famous Yeshiva) would beg to differ.
If there’s one Middah we aren’t lacking it’s “Arrogance” in how we judge others, demand from others, & are obsessed with “keeping up with or bashing the Cohens”
Mark – I believe you. I had discrimination cases, not with airlines, and I lost. The fact is Antisemitism that you see on the Streets nowadays, in the Western world, started somewhere. It started with our Government. Even though I’m Not a lawyer, it’s possible to win this case. How? If he has documented proof that they were willing to accommodate him with regards to Shabbos, then he could Sue with Breach of Contract! Suing with the Law Against Discrimination is very difficult. Even it’s Clear Cut.
If you have your ducks in a row and can prove everything that you write in this article, there’s a good chance that any number of labor law attorneys will take your case with a smile.
Some of them may even be willing to grant you a stipend to live off of pending the outcome of the lawsuit
Lawsuit
It sounds like you just didn’t show up without telling anyone, assuming that everyone involved knew you were shomer shabbos?
If you did not immediately contact the scheduling office asking for another slot, then it shows poor communication skills. As you know Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) relies heavily on open dialog between the pilots, and this does not show awareness or sensitivity to the high cost and need for 100% utilization of the simulator to justify costs. As an employer about to make a major investment in a new employee who is responsible for hundreds of passengers and millions of dollars worth of equipment, this would be of considerable concern.
I notice you said “I didn’t show up”
Did you notify them beforehand to try and work it out? Or did you just not show up?
Employers want employees that communicate well & are responsible. This is 10x more important for a pilot.
It seems (perhaps I’m wrong) that you took the attitude of making this an issue instead of dealing with it in a mature manner. Btw, if you did what you wrote you did I wouldn’t want you as an employee either.
Hey,
I’m interested in flight lessons;
How can I get in touch?
I am interested in flying lessons.
I’m wondering if I can get a discount as I only need to learn how to take off & fly to a specific location. (I do not need to learn how to land)