Well myself along with other colleagues were in the same boat you were about 7 years ago.
A captain with our airline thought he would do the evil deed to the company because of lack of pay too.
He started out with 173 passengers from Point “A” to Point “C” with a tech stop at Point “B”. Point “B” was a fueling stop. He set out for Point “B”. Once at Point “B”, he got off his jet, thus stranding 173 passengers at Point “B”.
The captain left his First Officer and Flight Engineer, and 5 cabin crew to deal with the passengers and the ensuing problems without warning.
There were another 173 passengers and full flight crew at the ultimate destination for the return trip back to Point “A”.
After the captain got off the jet in Point “B” he jumpseated back to Point “A” on another carrier. He did however leave a phone message with the company that he resigned with immediate effect, before departing Point "B" back to Point "A".
He was to join another carrier with a class date commencing in about another week or two after this episode. You know the saying about how small the airline community… news travels fast and rumors grow faster than germs in a petri dish. Well that escapade got around the airline community. His next employer rescinded their job offer after they caught wind of what he did... oh well... such as life.
The company he thought he was sticking it too, because of no pay, sued him with success may I add.
As for myself, and others still with the company at the time, gave our proper two week notices, called in sick for trips well in advance so the company could find a replacements.
Unfortunately, there is very little an attorney can do other than have a “Mechanics Lien” placed on the aircraft and other associated assets. Well the owners of this bottom feeding carrier walked away from the company, as this particular company was in deep financial problem. As the aircraft and ground equipment were all leased they were returned to their rightful owners. There were no back salaries ever recovered by the flight crews and other employees of the company.
Yeah… I know it would feel gratifying to shaft the company for lack of pay. But one needs step back and think about the fallout left in the wake of that type of melt-down behavior… as there is no turning back.
Anyway after some 10 years later, the individual who sought retribution is a SLF flying who knows what. The rest of us who left the company the “proper way” are gainfully employed with reputable carriers.
Good luck in your endeavors.