I know Alabama is a right to work state, and essentially that a non-compete holds no water. I have signed several and gone on to work with others and had no issue. Did have one company send me a cease and desist letter, but that was as far as they went. I left them and went to another company and worked there for 15 years. Like any contract, they are about as useless as the paper they are written on if someone has the right lawyer and wants out.