Originally Posted by goodyear859

I think many of us share a similar story…

Ever since I was a little kid, I have been obsessed with flight. If an adult asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would say, “Airline Pilot”. When presented with the opportunity to begin flight lessons, I could not refuse. After getting my private license, I could see the hopes of my childhood dream come closer.

I would listen to stories from my flight instructor about their former instructors of how they had a very long road to becoming an airline pilot. They would have to flight instruct for many years, get a job flying cargo or charter services. After many years of moving up through the ranks, they might have the fortunate chance of getting the big interview from a regional carrier. It sounded like a long and tough road, but I was willing to do what it takes to get there.

The pilot shortage hit and hiring minimums dropped and the future starting looking bright. An unanticipated window opened I did what I could so I would no miss out. I did so, and got hired at Piedmont.

The planes are fuel-efficient and Piedmont had around longer than any other regional carrier. Looked like the safest bet for job security. The planes might not be glamorous compared to an RJ, my thoughts were that I would be happy just flying.

I was told, along with many others, that training most likely would start in September. September has passed. Gas prices shot up and the economy has dropped along with Mural in the industry. There obviously is still no start date for training. Best guesses are maybe a year from when hired.

Every time I turn on the news, it seems like the sky is falling with the economy, and I read about the Parent company suing each other from within. Now I read there are “glitches” in the system for paying Piedmont employees. It may just be harmless, but with the circumstances of the credit crisis, it makes me wonder. There are also rumors of loosing flying / airplanes. Those at the bottom of the seniority list of other companies have gotten the ax. Piedmont is now offering voluntary leaves of absences. Does this mean furloughs are around the corner?

Now this bright future is looking dimmer. Other than say Republic, I thought Piedmont was a more stable company, but is now questionable. This nothing like I thought the airlines were like when I was younger. I can say I love aviation and are willing to put up with many things. However, I think a line must be drawn. There is a point were giving up everything in life...relationships, money, time, sanity (fill in the blank)….will not be worth the continue pursuit of this career. I know everything in aviation is cyclical, and that in light of what others in the past have gone through to get the job, it really is not that bad…but I fear aviation is headed in a very dark direction where the timing might just not be right. I’m hoping for the best, but also think I should be planning for the future if I simply cannot make a living this way. I fear that if I were to give up at Piedmont, the road to being a professional pilot may be an ever longer and harder climb. I wish everyone the best and hope I can help to push your seniority number up in the future.




And a random question….if I was stuck on reserve forever at Piedmont, would I at least be able to manipulate my schedule to take advantage of travel privileges? What I mean is how long could I get off at a time to travel somewhere if I wanted to. I think you can get 4 days off in a row and two sets of two days off. Is there any way to put them together?