The problem with this any program like this is that it is full of empty promises that have no guarantee of being fulfilled.

I’ll start with the bonus payments:
Most regional airlines are offering new hire bonuses these days. Many are more lucrative than what Piedmont is offering.

Paying for the ATP/CTP course plus lodging:
This is not unique to Piedmont. Any airline that will hire your grandson in the future will pay for the ATP/CTP and lodging as well as paying him his full pay as part of new hire training.

Captain upgrade at 18-24 months:
Captain upgrade at any airline is a constantly moving target. What the upgrade is today is not what the upgrade will be for a new hire. When an airline says that the “upgrade time is xxx”, it means that the newest captain on property has been at the airline for that number of years. It is not predictive of someone hired today. Now, one can ATTEMPT to predict what it may be based on assumed movement and/or growth, but no one will know their upgrade time until they strap into the left seat for the first time. But if the music stops at an airline, so does movement and resulting captain upgrades.

Transition to American:
This is honestly the only benefit of going to Piedmont... but again, not something unique to Piedmont. Envoy, PSA and Piedmont all have a flow to mainline American. The flow time is also a moving target and can only be predicted. The flow can be metered and slowed or even stopped by American as they see fit. Complete stoppage and cancellation of the flow program has happened in the past and has been a “back and forth” for several decades. I once had a “guaranteed” job at American many years ago. Guess what airline I fly for now... *hint* it’s not American. With all that said, going to Envoy, PSA or Piedmont in order to have the flow in your back pocket is not a bad idea at all. Just don’t rely on it as gospel and understand the volatility of such a program.

One last thing to mention is that if he applies to one of these cadet programs, he will be committed to that company. If his life circumstances change and decide that a different regional may be a better fit for him he will likely be locked at Piedmont.

In today’s hiring environment, a rising pilot doesn’t need cadet programs or “guaranteed interviews”. They can have their pick of where they want to go. As I mention in another thread a little while ago: Pick your regional, apply and get interview, don’t show up naked to interview, get job offer, enjoy time at chosen regional.

My opinion is not meant to discourage your grandson from an American wholly owned regional with a flow. As I said, it’s not a bad thing to have in your back pocket. But with a clean training record, he will be able to get on to any regional of his choice, likely with a signing bonus, without the help of an over marketed (almost scam) program.

Best of luck to him! It’s an incredible time to get into the industry.