Phineas

Its not great but it’s not bad for me. Everyone’s situation is different. I live close enough to 3 airports that I have my pick of flights. The issue right now is all of the flights being sold out and being bumped by mainline or republic for the jumpseat. I’ve figured out how to make it work but I’m usually (90% of the time) leaving on day 1 and home on day 4. Even when I was on reserve I didn’t have to come in the day before but a handful of times. Granted, that means sometimes taking UPS/FedEx or the 0500 flight to get in or taking the last flight home and get in at 1am but it’s doable. Biggest thing as a commuter is having a good relationship with our schedulers. Be honest, be kind, and don’t be rude.

src119

Yeah I live close enough to a big airport that I would be able to get flights out of I have heard it's tough to get a jump seat sometimes in this day and age. What is the flow-through looking like in terms of years right now?

Otterbox

6.5-7 years the top half of the seniority list. Could be longer if AA shuts the flow off again.

planejoe

If commuting in is there a minimum time required to be at your base before reporting time? Ex) Report time 1300, have to be in base by 1100?

Flyinguy

1h prior to door close is report time.

fofofo

I know this doesn't exactly match the thread but I can't start a new one yet. I'm a CFI, I have an interview with Piedmont in a couple weeks, and I just had a few questions, so any help would be appreciated. How long is training? How long is reserve right now? How long to upgrade? How many hours will you get on reserve/on the line? Thank you in advance

ArmyRWP2018

I would plan 6 months from INDOC to start of OE the way the new hire numbers are looking. Plan on an average of 60 hrs per month each year once you get on the line flying an assigned schedule. FOs we’re getting lines pretty quick but we are hiring over 60 pilots per month for a few so expect some short time on reserve. Maybe 2-3 months. 17 months of flying will get you 1000 121 SIC. Then expect 4 months in trading for upgrade. About 55 hours or so on reserve per month and 65-75 hours per month with a line.

But I said average 60 hours per month in planning. Vacation and CQ each year must be accounted for.

Good luck.

fofofo

Thanks for the help I appreciate it!

HippieAir

Apologies in advance if this isn't the proper forum. My class at Republic just got cancelled but I now have a class date at Piedmont in 3 weeks. I'd be commuting from RIC I'm guessing to PHL or CLT. I originally chose Republic even at their lower pay rate (before the new contract) because of drivability to DCA, but now they're throttling back on new classes because they're so fat on FOs. I'm REALLY not interested in commuting to reserve, but now I'm in a bind and would be waiting until March for a Rep class date. How bad would commuting to reserve be at PDT? Is there ready reserve? Short call? If long call is an option how often? I'm guessing since everyone is so fat on FOs that reserve will last a good while. Any thoughts or insight?

bamike

Look at my previous posts for info detailed on how many pilots Piedmont has hired in the last 4 months. You will be at the bottom of seniority with minimal flying for months. You will have to commute to a crash pad in PHL to sit short call reserve. Long call reserve is senior because it's a max of 15% of total reserve lines. Piedmont reserve rules are very bad. The on call period is 14 hours a day, 11 days off a month. Zero ability to get the schedule you want. You can't pick up open time flying on reserve either. They can convert 8 days a month to airport ready reserve (called RAS) making you sit in the airport for 8 hours. The worst part is you won't consolidate either so you'll have to go to the sim for another check ride since they won't use you on reserve. They have massively over hired FOs.

If I was you I would only come to Piedmont to get the type rating and then apply to spirit or Frontier immediately. If you want to work at a regional in DC area, go to Mesa Commutair or anywhere that has a DC or IAD base. The most important thing is not commuting to reserve.