Piedmont Interview

[unclematty]

Folks, received an e-mail inviting me to interview with Piedmont. Wondering if anyone has been through the process recently? much thanks!!

unclematty

 

[On Your Six]

Stay at your corporate job. Piedmont will likely be one of the first wholly-owned shut down as things get rough at USAirways. Why would you want to get into props when you are currently flying jets? Sounds like a step backwards (from a Falcon 900 to a Dash 8) in my opinion....

Seriously, AVOID Piedmont in the future. No disrespect to the Piedmont people out there - they know what I am talking about. There are a lot of great people there now, but its future is FAR FROM CERTAIN. Stay in the jets and try for Eagle or CHQ instead if you are intent on the airline route - they appear to be hiring quite a bit into the EMB.

Stay away - people are leaving (that is why you are interviewing - not because of organic growth)... Get the picture?

 

[B1900DFO]

If you take the job you will fly a lot. Probably average 80-90 hours a month. Schedules are pretty bad 10-13 days off per month, very hard to commute. You'll probably make about 30k your first year.

The dash is a fun plane to fly unfortunately company morale is terrible and management/pilot relations are very combative. Usairways recently restructured their loan and now Pdt/alg/psa are no longer part of the collateral to the ATSB meaning US can now sell Pdt/Alg to raise cash. Who knows how that would pan out. If you need to get more total time or 121 time in a hurry PDt is a good bet. If you are looking for a relatively quick upgrade don't bother with Pdt. The interview used to consist of an atp type short test (jepp questions included), a psych test, and a short interview. I don't know the particulars of your job but if you are making a decent living flying the Falcon 900 and you have the chance of upgrading in the next 5 years or so I would say don''t even consider PDT. Hope that helps.

 

[blzr]

I agree. It is a great way to build time and experience in a hurry. It will make you look more appealing to future employers too, part 121 or corporate. I flew 862 hours in 11 months last year and now I'm flying corporate and only flown 57 hours this year. ALot harder to build time in alot of corporate jobs if you need the time.

If you don't mind the crew bases, ROA(jr), CHO, EWN, CLT, SBY, then maybe it would be for you. And from what I understand, a couple of former Mainline guys are running the sim and are total A$$Hollies, sotake that for what it's worth... Good Luck

 

[Heavy Set]

Stay away from Piedmont...

I agree with the others. Great people at Piedmont but stay away - it is a sinking ship and likely the first WO to get dismantled or sold to MESA if USAirways is tanking (very likely)... Better to get on jets with American Eagle or Pinnacle if you have the opportunity. Although I would personally stay on the Falcon 900 if it was a good outfit.

Let us know what you decide to do.

Good luck

 

[skywooby]

Just went through the process last week. Turned down the job offer though and went with Eagle. Piedmont has a rocky road ahead. I have alot of friends who fly for them. A few of them were hired in Jan. and the only reason for the hiring is FO's are leaving at a pretty rapid pace. They won't BS you in the interview and tell you they think everything is fine. They know they have problems with mainline. Mainline has stated that they will be parking all turboprops by 2007. Where does that leave Piedmont? They don't know the answer either.

Like the other posts said its a good time builder but theres a chance you will be out of a job sometime in the future. My guess from what my friends tell me is in 2005 things are going to start happening for the worse.

The interview itself was pretty relaxing and easy. ATP test with a few refer to questions (IFR Chart Questions). Company history and a 10 minute interview which is easy...no tricks they just want to talk with you. Seemed like they put alot of weight on your driving record.

Good luck!!!

 

[On Your Six]

Good job with Eagle. I'd rather fly an EMB or CRJ than a Dash 8 any day. Any indication of what you would fly at Eagle - I hear some newhires are going into the CRJ-700.

Keep in mind Piedmont is hiring because of pilot attrition - not organic growth.

 

[skywooby]

Don't know until the first day of class...could be anything if the assignments from the past classes are any indication.

 

[Slave2theGrind]

Just pray that you dont get San Juan, Ive been there and done that. I just might sent my resume over to Piedmont to build some time plus their bases are pretty close to me.

 

[Paul R. Smith]

Good job with Eagle. I'd rather fly an EMB or CRJ than a Dash 8 any day. Any indication of what you would fly at Eagle - I hear some newhires are going into the CRJ-700.

Keep in mind Piedmont is hiring because of pilot attrition - not organic growth.

I don't know about the erj vs the dash. That dash cockpit is friggin huge. But yeah the erj is faster but when your paid by the hour...I dunno. Good luck to you and all the fellas at the wholly owns that didnt just bend over on the J4J issue. My prayers and support go out to you fwiw.

 

[unclematty]

thanks, folks.

 

[91100 100 set]

I'm curious, how are former mainline people running the sim?

 

[blzr]

Not only is the Mainline guy in question running the sim, but also flying the line as a captain with a senority # that would make him actually a reserve F/O. Some technicality in the unon contract.

 

[Whitestoneclimb]

Good job with Eagle. I'd rather fly an EMB or CRJ than a Dash 8 any day. Any indication of what you would fly at Eagle - I hear some newhires are going into the CRJ-700.

Keep in mind Piedmont is hiring because of pilot attrition - not organic growth.

Whan are people going to realize that the only things that matter are: 1) Money & 2) Days Off. Who gives a crap what you fly. You pay me enough, I'll fly a kite.

 

[PDTGIMP]

Well, I'll jump into the frey,

Piedmont has gone down hill over the four plus years I've been here, and I'm looking at other regionals, even Eagle. My reasons are not based on the poor schedules, junior mannings, extensions and low morale: that's most places latley. IT's that freakin Airways ain't gonna make it till next summer.

Having said this, if your a flight instructor or the like and looking for some turbine time and the chance to put the fact you've made it through a 121 training program on your resume take a Piedmont interview and get some quality flight time with some of the best **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** pilots in the industry.

Point is, if you've got thousands of hours and are looking for a career, look elsewhere, but if you're low time and Piedmont calls: take it get some experience and get out. And get here quick so SBY will stop Junior manning my butt.

 

[91100 100 set]

Whitestone, very well said...