Originally Posted by
Dunkin
PDT is what PSA was at the end of 2013. They are about to start getting airplanes and the movement will be comparable to what PSA is seeing. PDT is a great place for a young pilot to go to now. They have some bases in cool parts of the country with a pretty low cost of living, even if you could live within a 2 hour drive from one of their bases you would have good QOL. The recruiter at PDT told me the E145s will be going to CLT and PHL so you might see some hub bases soon. You will probably flow to AA sooner throught PDT than PSA or ENV at this point too. Unless you live in CLT or DFW (or have an easy commute to those bases) going to PDT would be a great place to start your airline career.
Yes for the last 3-5 years I have told friends to avoid this place. I've even told FO's that they should look at other regionals. No future planes, Upgrade 7 years. I'd always say the only reason to come here would be if you were from one of the crew bases because our working contract is very good, pay was good, vacation also very good.
Now that's all changed! With the last group of upgrades they are at the 3.5 year mark and it's going to drop well below two years now. Plus with the 20 ERJ's coming it's going to be a great opportunity to upgrade fast. With that being said now I would highly recommend looking into Piedmont Airlines over many other regionals.
Plus you have a for sure job at American in your back pocket. But if you don't want it you can still upgrade in 2 years and apply to Delta, United, JetBlue. Win Win!!
Had an American Jumpseater and basically said that it will end up very hard to get on with American without going through one of the WO'ed since most classes will be made up of over 50% of them.
I think this is a great time to get on with Piedmont.
Right now only negative thing at Piedmont is our Schedules!!! They suck!! And I hope they fix that. If they do this place will be mint!