What aircraft is needed at Piedmont?
 

What "new" aircraft is needed at Piedmont Airlines now that Piedmont pilots have a new contract that provides significant increases in pilot pay? Applying a little bit of critical thinking added with basic economics will tell you that the continue presence of the 50-seat ERJ145 will result in higher airline passenger ticket prices to generate the added revenues needed to pay increasing expenses (new pilot salaries). Are new increases in pay coming to FAA licenses A&P mechanics and dispatcher? What about flight attendants and the grunts at the ticket counter and on the ramp? As expenses continue to rise, one thing at Piedmont will remain the same. The 50-seat ERJ145. If Piedmont is to continue as one of three wholly owned regional airlines of American Airlines (and not be Comair'ed into Envoy and/or PSA), then Piedmont needs a new aircraft type to survive. Is the EMB170/175 in Piedmont's future?

Well, Piedmont management is really excited about the Embraer next gen prop regional concept. But AA has been replacing PDT routes with bus service…

No. Remember piedmont is not a publicly traded company. Piedmont could pay 200k a year to fly a 172 as long as AA had enough revenue flying it’s NB&WB fleets. I wouldn’t see a new fleet at piedmont for a couple years.

Everything you’re saying is up to AAG. Any new fleet will be at their discretion and most likely (thankfully) constrained by mainline scope agreements. PDT management makes zero decisions concerning the future of the company, etc.

Are any of the airports that Piedmont flies into limited in length, where E-145s can fly in, but E-175s are limited?

Airbus 321

Wow, seriously? Piedmont pilots had ZERO trouble learning the E145 and now they are widely considered the most effective and efficient operator of the aircraft. Piedmont pilots can fly the heck out of that plane and do so safely and comfortably for AA's customers. Not sure why you think they won't be able to do it on the E175.

I think Piedmont pilots will do just fine. You on the other hand, not so sure.

The transition to the 145 was a disaster. AA won’t look to do another fleet transition until there’s a new VP of Flight OPS at Piedmont

You really misread the question.

Nah. PDT lost Hilton Head and New Haven to the E-175 when the Dash was retired because of performance limitations with the E-145.