Piedmont Hiring!

[DASHDRIVER]

Piedmont Airlines (USAirways Express) Is Hiring 75 new FO's by April! Good news for people stuck on the outside. Company is growing dramatically ordering a lot of new planes and picking up a lot of new routes from mainline USAirways.

 

[MasterFly]

Jets?

Does anyone know if Piedmont has any plans to get jets?

 

[DASHDRIVER]

Jets

Jets at piedmont has been a hot topic within the company recently. All of the wholly owned Express carriers (Piedmont, Allegany, PSA) have joined forces to fight the Mainline pilot union who is currently keeping them from getting jets. Progress on the matter seems to be in site but i wouldn't expect to see one till the end of 2002 at least.

 

[MasterFly]

More Questions

Thanks for replying.

Can you please post what Piedmont's pay scale is? And about how it is to fly for them? Also, is it hard to hold a Florida base as a new hire?

Thanks a lot.

 

[DASHDRIVER]

Life at Piedmont

I gotta say life here is good. Pay for the first year here is $24,000 min but most make around $31,000. It doesn't go up as fast as a lot of other regionals but at least your living on more than McDonalds in come during probation. It is hard to get a Florida base in the your first bid but not impossible. Two peole out of the ten I started with got a Florida base. They are also opening a new crew base in Roanoke in Feb. Skeduales are good and the people you work with are great. I would recomend it as a great first airline. Downs, longer upgrade time, no jets (yet), being a wholly owned you have to put up with what Mainline wants

 

[45000BTU's]

Use to work at Piedmont. It's a great company to work for. Their only downfall is their affiliation with Mainline USAIR. Jets may be in discussion but I wouldn't hold your breath. That rumor's been around for a long time. Good for them if it comes true. What's this about aircraft orders? Are you referring to the Shuttle America 300's?

On the upside the Dash is a great airplane, the flying is plentiful, and the crews know how to have fun. You can't beat the pay and the chance to fly to the FL. Keys. Upgrade may take awhile but its like that everywhere now. Guys, get comfortable, as of now, we're all in it for the long haul. Good Luck PDT pilots, hope the effort pays off!

45000 BTU's

 

[dondk]

Another former PDT... I agree with 45000BTU's assesment of the company...

Mainline is a bear to deal with and they are as cheap as they come.

Fl bases for the new hire... it depends on how many upgrade from a FL base. I got TPA right out of class, otherwise count on a good 3-6 months but it is possible.

Dash is a good aircraft and you cannot beat the $$$ with decent work rules.

Downside, getting jet's, and some of the equipment is getting up there in years.

Upgrade is 2 1/2 years and has been that way for about a year now. I would think PDT will grow and continue to do so, I am not too sure about Airways though, they are not the most stable of companies right now.
Lines... about mid 80's with 12 + off

Best of luck to all

 

[AV1ATRX]

I would LOVE to get hired by Piedmont. I've been sending my resume to them since the spring and haven't ever heard anything. Is it easier to get based at ORF or SBY? I live in VA and would hate to end up based in FL. Also, I know this is a stupid question, so please forgive my ignorance, as this is something I know I should know already, but if USA goes under, would the other three cease to exsist? I mean, should I keep trying to get hired by them if they are just going to die within a couple of years? Please don't flame me for not knowing this kind of stuff, I'm still new to the whole airline thing... And I guess I should know in case some day they actually call me... Thanks to anybody who answers!

 

[45000BTU's]

ORF or SBY Hmmmm..... Not Sure, I would say equally easy, but it just depends on what is open. Sounds like Roanoke is becoming a new base so who knows? As far as the future of Piedmont? Anyones guess. When the whole USAir/UAL thing was going on, sounded as though they would become ACA. If you asked anyone at Piedmont, they'd tell you they could stand alone if they had too. I've heard that Piedmont and the rest of the whollyowneds are what kept UsAirways afloat for so long. Flying an empty 737 from CLT to GSO sure wasn't making them the big bucks! Time will tell. I will say this. The planes and the routes are attractive to anyone who would buy UsAirways but the cost of labor could be hard to swallow. UsAirways owns Piedmont so they hold the answer. I'd go for it anyway. Atleast you'll build some quality time in a decent a/c (bigger than B1900) and you may get lucky if they are bought out. Maybe in the integration of seniority lists, you'll end up becoming more senior to some poor guy at the carrier that acquires them. Good Luck to ya!

45000

 

[DASHDRIVER]

Junior Bases

Currently the most junior bases are EWN and ORF. ORF takes a lot of people being a double domicile. Newport News and Norfolk. Rumor has it that there won't be any forced relocations to Roanoke. They have had enough volenteer to fill it. If your tring to get in to ORF, CHO, SBY, or EWN you have good chances.

 

[Brae123]

Piedmont is a great place to be but if you are also interested Allegheny is also starting to hire again possibly in Dec and Jan. We are in the process of getting more aircraft and new routes (old USAir routes). Also there is a rumor that upgrades are going to start again with a big class in Jan. Our work rules and pay are very similar to Piedmonts but our bases are not as nice, Syracuse NY for example. Pigs will fly here before mainline MEC allows us to fly jets. Like everyone says the Dash is a great airplane, it has an autopilot, APU, and a coke machine with legs.

 

[dogfighter]

Piedmont address

Hey Dashdriver, would you mind fwding piedmont's address or pax # to me please.

safe flying and may the tail win Gods be with ya.

 

[DASHDRIVER]

Contacting Piedmont

You can get all of the info you need at www.piedmont-airlines.com in the corperate section. Send resume to Robert "Bob" Trout. He is the corperate recruiter. They like to see a four year degree, especially if you are from UND or Purdue. Time for hiring is going to range on the type of experiance you have. 100 multi was the golden number before the attacks. it might be higher now. They have been known to trade lower multi for higher total. But anything could happen. I got a class date with 575 total and 109 multi.

 

[MasterFly]

Actual IFR

According to Piedmont's website, they require 125 Actual IFR; and PSA rquires 100.

How strict are they at that minimum? I think that it's hard to get that time, especially flying in Florida. I have over 1200 hours and try to fly as often as I can under actual, but still I only have under 50 hours actual. I have a lot of hood time and FTD time, though.

 

[dogfighter]

piedmont

Thanks for the info. dash

 

[skeezer]

Actual IFR

I know this is a Piedmont thread but..

To answer MasterFly's question about actual IFR time. At PSA I was hired with less actual than you have and about 100 hours of instrument time (actual and hood). They would prefer 100 actual but they will take other experiences into account.

Where I come from actual IFR is really hard to come by so I feel your pain.

Skeezer

 

[DASHDRIVER]

Actual

At Piedmonts site along with all others they put what they would idealy like to see. In all reason they have no chance on getting it. I was hired with about 45-50 actual. They do like to see instrument experiance though and will take sim and hood time as subs. I did here today that if you are furloughed they want to see proof of resignation from former company before you start class.

 

[dondk]

In my class (albeit 9 months ago), we had alot of variety in times, a few had more than minimums, but most had less. PDT looks at the quality of time versus the total time. This I believe was an actual quote from Bob Trout. Just because you may be less in one area does not disqualify you. Disqualifiers are more likely no formal education or sporadic flying. Your resume show commitment and meets some of the requirement you have a good shot at an interview.

Too add... IN my interview group, the comment made was they get 75 plus resumes a week, from that they take the top 10% they "FEEL" can complete the program and offer an interview. So if you are offered an interview you have already passed one of the biggest hurdles, the next will be the psych test.

Good luck regardless and go for the interview...

 

[DASHDRIVER]

Agreed

dondk is right on the money in all accounts. Good luck to all.

 

[Jet_Dreamer]

TO Piedmont employees:

Can anyone give me an average time from resume submit, to interview date , to class date?

thanks.

 

[DASHDRIVER]

Times

Times and experiance vary with qualifications. If you have a four year degree, some decent instrument experiance, and 100 multi you may be able to get an interview with less than 1000 total. More total with less.

 

[airline mission]

Wow, this is great info, guys!

OK, I have a 4-year degree, CMEL, about 95 total instrument, 45 multi, and 920 total. I fly a Cherokee almost every day. Is this the kind of consistency you're talking about? If you were me, would you get them a resume now, or wait until I had some more multi time? I don't have my CFI, so about my only option if I have to stack on the multi time now is to spend 7-8K on the multi time and get it into the soup often, I think.

Also, I think I remember somebody bashing Piedmont as being a place where they wash ALOT of people out. Is that right, or is it somewhere else where that's a problem. I don't remember.

Thanks for the great posts, and good luck with your careers.

 

[FlyersCFI]

Website?

How come the website says 1500/250 are the mins? Is that outdated or are those preferred times? Thanks.

 

[dondk]

To answer some of airline mission's questions/statements...

First, very few wash out of PDT, the only way out is attitude. I have seen personally some guys who were very weak go many lessons to get to pass the checkride. The company believes in helping you make it. The program they use is unlike any other regionals training. I have been through 3 different airline ground schools and I can say that PDT has it together in regard to training.

Consistency is a factor, they do use many factors in there decisions. I do not think anyone can tell you all of the factors though. As for sending in a resume, what do you have to lose other than the time and the cost of the phone call of postage stamp. If YOU are serious about any regional YOU have to make it know to them. Waiting for some magic number is not going to get you an interview, nor is waiting for them to contact you.

almost a year ago I interviewed with all three Airways wholly owneds. I was actually surprised by the turnouts and experiences in each interview sesssion. They were not filled with 121 guys, nor filled with 500 hr CFI's, it was a good mix at each company in age and experience. From the 20 yr old to the 45 yr old corporate guy with 15 years experience. The market may have changed, but those guys and gals being interviewed right now are not all furloughed 121 pilots, albeit it may be slightly more than 50% but it is not 100%.

 

[DASHDRIVER]

Hire the Person not the numbers

I think dondk makes a good point here. you see such a range of people coming through our classes that there is no doubt that Piedmont hires the person not the pilot. I think this is the way it is every where. If you have a good attitude, love what you do and are willing to put the time in you can go far. As to the published min referance what we have said earlier in the message board. My advice is to go for it, why not try at least you will be on file and showing persistence by updating a resume every few months can't hurt.

 

[skydiverdriver]

I'm glad you pdt guys are happy there, as for the most part, it is a good company. But, to keep it balanced, I'm going to present the other side. I used to work there too, and I didn't like it. Of course, I wasn't a pilot, and they seemed to have the only good deal at the company. They have an excellent contract, but managers at USAir would sell their own mothers if it meant a profit for them. I think the wholly-owned regionals are their best bet for a stable future, but mailine pilots also want to restrict them too much. Also, PDT's management only treats pilots well because they have a good contract, and other employees get left in the cold. I also agree that they have good training, but as you say, some weak people are helped through. I have a captain friend there who flew a checkride with a guy, and he couldn't believe they were going to let him pass. He said "this guy is going to fly with passengers soon?" I'm not so sure this is a good idea.

I would suggest you get on with Piedmont as a last resort. Just my opinion, as I have a lot of friends who still work there, and I wish them well. I just don't think its going to work out for those guys. Thanks for your time.

 

[dondk]

Skydiverdriver has a valid point as well. Personally I am a former PDT too...

The company stong point for pilots are the work rules and pay. They do go above the norm in helping weaker pilots through, and while there is a good argument that may not be the best PDT also has more senior Captains than "most" regionals. The Dash is also somewhat forgiving. IN my PDT class we had one weak pilot, the dude had not flown IMC in over 2 1/2 years, but after a lot of work he made the checkride (an extra 10 sessions) and then SOE...

At EXA, my partner washed out after the 3rd sim session, could of he made it? mabye if they gave him another 4-5 sessions. Was he any different than the PDT guy who is employeed? So I see the argument, but it goes both ways. I think the difference is at EXA we do not have too many senior guys in the CRJ, they may have 10 years with the company but only a year or so in the jet.

I am not a major advocate for PDT, but for some people it is a great company and a good job. I do not think they will get RJ's anytime soon and being a wholly owned the only benifit I saw was a higher standing in the non-rev issues, other than that being under Airways is more headaches than it is worth as they really do not care about the regionals other than for the paycheck they write to mainline on a monthly basis.

Laslty, PDT as with most of the wholly owneds have a "attitude" that takes a little to get use to. For those who do not understand, ask ANY contract carrier for Airways and I am sure they can explain in probably 5 words or less. Again, I am NOT putting down the wholly owneds, but they are in a class by themselves at times and they are not for everyone.

Best of luck...

 

[airline mission]

Sending resume's before posted min's

On the topic of sending a resume to a company before the company's posted minimum's are reached. If they explicitly say, "Do NOT send a resume until you have the minimum's...", by sending one anyway, would I be seen as more of an irritation than a positive, persistant applicant, and therefore be 'marked'? I can see your points made about sending them in now. Should I treat this differently depending upon the airline I'm sending a resume to? Or should I just get a resume to every airline I'm interested in regardless of what they say about the minimums?

I'm going to take your advice and get my first airline resume ready for PDT. Thanks for the encouragement.

One more thing. Does Piedmont insist on hiring only those who are coming from flying jobs? Does flying a desk count?

Happy skies!

 

[dondk]

Airline mission

To send a resume or not?
First there are some issues that should be addressed...

What ever a companies posted minimums are not always the "competitive minimums". In my experience with regional's I have seen well below posted minimums get interviewed and hired.


The Major's are different, usually the posted minimum's are truly the minimums and the competitive times are the going rate to get interviewed. While some do get hired below competitive times, very few get hired at or below minimum's.

I personally do not know of any company that "marks" a persistent applicant, usually the persistance is considered a good thing. It shows that you actually may want to work for the company. That is why it is usually recommended that those that you are really interested in you send resumes monthly. Same with the major's, when they were hiring you needed to send updates usually every six months as thier process was usually just under a year, no update they would think no interest.

You should consider all airlines that may be hiring, PDT, ALO, PSA, Comair, ACA, ASA, and Shuttle America. Watch these boards for recalls as once all of get back to work those airlines may start back up the hiring process.

Flying a desk, that is a good question, I know of a few who were hired with some significant breaks from flying. I know of some who were not in a current flying job, but it all comes down to how you present yourself. Cannot help you there, other than to say to send in the resumes. Just be aware that many who are being interviewed currently sent in resumes 6 weeks or better ago.

Best of luck...

 

[airline mission]

Great info. Thanks for taking the time.