dashtrash300

So why are you still here? Lots of other airlines are hiring, why not get out now while you can?

Wapilot23

Thanks for all the encouragement guys. Any current new hire piedmont FO's have any knowledge about the interview like questions or what current approaches they use for the interview?

Phuz

First of all the thread isn't about me and my situation, its about what a new guy should or should not expect if he accepts an offer with PDT. Secondly, I'm not .

I've said my piece, the noobs can read it and make their own educated decisions.

higgi8f6

So here are some facts about Piedmont Life and you can verify most of them here on APC.

When you compare pay, first year looks pretty good. We are one of the higher paid regionals for first year pay however it does not stay that way. Go and compare 3rd or 4th year FO pay to any other regional flying 50 seat aircraft and we start to fall pretty quickly. Also our CA are some of the lowest paid CA flying 50 seaters. Or 37 seat rate for CA (FOs are paid the same whether there are 37 or 50 seats) is decent but it still does not justify lower rates for 50 seaters. Most line holders don't notice it because almost all lines are built with 90 hrs. So expect long days. I've just completed 4 days in a row of 14+hrs of duty followed by 12hrs or less of rest. We have the fewest number of days off per month. Most regionals have 11 or 12 but Piedmont is 10. It's only saving grace in regards to 10 days off is we do receive 4 golden days (immovable days off) that can be requested but again it is only a request and the company is not obligated to comply. We do have a commuter clause but I believe (not a commuter) you have to list for 2 or 3 flights ahead of your scheduled start of duty and most bases only have 4 or 5 flights a day. In regards to commuting on reserve while we are discussing it, you may be assigned a trip on your first day a reserve with a 1500 report however the company still wants you in base for a 0500 start to your duty so even though chances are they won't call you, you still have to commute in and be available. I've heard of other regionals that once you are assigned a trip, that is your report. Non of this sit on call before reporting. Our vacation policy is decent if you are trying to get time off. We are assigned a block (either the 1-15 or 16-30 of each month) and can place our 5 days on any trip and get paid for the next 5 days and drop any trip it touches. For example, if you have 3 days off, a 4 day then another 3 days off then another 4 day, you get paid for the entire 1st 4 day and the 1st day of the following 4 day but both trips are dropping giving you a very large amount of time off. Also our travel benefits are pretty good. No yearly fee and no fees for domestic travel. International is unlimited just pay taxes. First class domestically is $20 and internationally is $100. We have the same seniority as mainline on standby and are one of the few regionals who can jumpseat internationally on American. Good luck with your decision but at least now here are some concrete facts instead of he said she said stuff.

Piedmonster

2 words: IT SUCKS

Av8tion

All airlines suck... some suck less in different areas and more in others... it's all about which areas you can deal with sucking more than others and which airline's suckiness coincides with your suckiness preferences...

UCLAbruins

it might suck for someone with some experience, but not when your times are 800TT/ 250ME... when you're in that time bracket Piedmont is like NASA (as the thread starter's enthusiams shows)

DASH8AV8R

The differance between NASA and Piedmont is that NASA has the smarts to Retire it's old Shuttle but we keep operating N906HA.
On a serious note, You will enjoy the Dash and will fly with some great people.

Commander 112

Piedmont has long been on my target of airlines for a first airline job. However, I'm beginning to have second thoughts about their future, and by extension, mine with them. They fly only for US Airways, have reduced fleet size significantly in recent years, have not made any credible plans to adopt a new equipment type, share and compete for regional service to US Air with 7 other regionals, and has apparently been unwilling to negotiate in good faith for a new pilot contract. Perhaps this all due to US Airways wanting/needing to position itself for a merger or sale, but it makes me more concerned about working for Piedmont, than say, one of the Pinnacle group of airlines, or even the Trans States Holdings group. Any thoughts?

naley70b

Well you pretty much summed everything up here at ol' piedmonts. . . I think career progression at piedmonts is about as encouraging and realistic as... well... something that isn't very encouraging or realistic.