Last summer Envoy, PSA, and Piedmont announced new higher pilot wages through August 31, 2024. I think American wanted to attract pilots away from their competitors long enough to get through the worst of the pilot shortage. SkyWest, Horizon, Mesa, and Endeavor eventually matched or beat the temporary pilot wages with permanent rates. Some of the other regionals raised their pilot rates a bit without matching them. In February, Envoy, PSA, and Piedmont announced that their temporary pilot rates are now being extended until December 31, 2026.

It’s certainly possible these temporary rates will be extended again. Or a recession could hit and pilot rates could be reduced again. But the AA wholly owned are the only ones calling their current pilot rates temporary. It’s a precarious industry.