Originally Posted by Captjhan

Right now Piedmont has a fairly quick upgrade time, they're advertising a "Flow Through" to mainline USAirways, and the Regional chief Pilot is telling the new hires about the aquisition of Q400's. Don't Buy it!
The quick upgrade is due to the large number of pilots leaving but MNGMT is not planning on changing the 3000hr min for upgrade. The training Dept. Is already saying that they'll be out of qualified upgrade canidates by Nov 08.
The Flow through is NOT a flow through. It's called the Preferential hiring agreement and all it does is penalize pilots who fly for PSA and Piedmont. If you want to fly at USAirways you may submit an application, but if you work at Piedmont, Airways has been instructed Not to call you until your seniority number comes up and when they do interview you, and if they hire you (Which many have not been) you'll be put on a list of canidates awaiting "Release" from Piedmont.(Which may take a year to two years) Meanwhile every other pilot on the globe is interviewing and being hired ahead of you.
Lastly, Piedmont is NOT getting ANY new aircraft in the near future. There are about ten points to emphasize but I'll cover a few.
LCC CEO Doug Parker has repeatedly stated that there will be no increase in capacity for the regional and domestic flying. (A Q400 would increase capacity at Piedmont substantially)
Piedmont operates at %57 load factor so Airways has no interest in increasing capacity.
When asked about the Q400, Airways FAQ said "We like the aircraft and if we purchased some they'd be used to replace the 50 seat Rj's" not dash-8's. Which means Piedmont would have to aquire additional flying to opperate them. Piedmont is currently flying 48 aircraft lines out of their 55 aircraft. (Others are "parked") Their goal is 50 in May.
Piedmont has still not gotten relief from the scope clause in the Mainline pilot contract forbidding them to operate RJ's and aircraft certified over 69 seats. (PSA has by the way)
These are just some of the reasons not to buy into Piedmont's sale to young pilots. If you're an aspiring pilot or a pilot interviewing, do yourself a favor, go to Compass, PSA, Republic, MESA, Sky West, ASA, Freedom, Go Jets, McDonald's, Wal-Mart, anywhere else. If you want to be a Dash-8 Captain and fly in and out of PHL and LGA while being treated like the red-headed step child for the forseeable future then by all means, come to Piedmont.