Piedmont is trying to get as many pilots on property as quickly as possible. They figure, once you start class, you are locked in.

That way, if it takes you 6-8 months to finish class and a year to start breaking guarantee, then there is nothing you can do about it.

The person that will be the most junior captain 6 months from now has already been hired. The painfully slow training process will allow anyone that is already flying the line to build 1000 SIC and upgrade before anyone that is hired today.