Stay Away From Piedmont!!
09-21-2007, 06:59 AM
#1
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 25
Stay Away From Piedmont!!
For all who have thought, are currently thinking, or might be thinking about employment with Piedmont Airlines, you may want to TRULY consider the ramifications of your decision. I have been employed with this company for a fair amount of time now (long enough to formulate a solid evaluation) and I can honestly say that I have never, in all prior jobs, encountered such disrespect, disorder, and ill-regard for its employees as I have with this company. From my initial training experience to daily encounters with those in the scheduling department, very little gratitude and/or general regard is given to its employees.
Piedmont, like many, is currently experiencing a pilot shortage. Despite the efforts of those who voluntarily choose to work on days off, thereby giving some aid to the company's daily struggle to cover trips, very little regard is given as thanks to those who do. To be pushed up to FAA limits on a daily basis is not unheard of. To have your block times ILLEGALLY adjusted under your nose to accommodate their needs is also not unheard of (and quite common here). In this case, my advice to you is to know the regulations, because I can promise your knowledge will unknowingly be tested.
The training experience here is undoubtedly a legend (ask just about any FO who has endured the process) in the skies these days. Personally speaking (and to put it nicely), the simulator course was a disaster. Expect to learn multiple techniques from multiple instructors. Then expect to be told by the check airman on the day of your ride that those same techniques you had learned from day 1 are incorrect. Expect the instructors to care about their paychecks and very little more. Expect the unexpected! NOBODY, be it the instructors, examiners, or the POH itself, reflects a standard by-the-book procedure. I, along with many others in my class, have a training background from which I feel confident in my abilities. For the first time in my life, I doubted those same abilities and career choice from the moment I set foot in Charlotte. Oh and upon arrival, don't expect any kind of formal welcome, introduction, or greeting from the higher-ups in the training department (remember, they are above you). Piedmont's poor excuse for a training director, Jay Keen, sees you merely as another worker in the production line and nothing more. Simply put, he is a miserable man living a miserable life, and his outlook on life is contagious for most within the confines of the training department. It is an attitude that is reciprocated among many of his colleagues there. Perhaps a review of a little book entitled The Southwest Airlines Way may do some good? Don't count on it.
As for the future of the company.....ha! If there are any other options out there for you, I recommend a hard look into whatever that may be. Very little distinction is made between reserve and line holders, as your schedule will continuously change. Scheduled 4-hour days will continue to be pushed to the 14-hour limit. Attrition is perhaps higher than it has ever been here, despite management's "ingenious" attempt to spend tens of thousands of dollars to repaint airplanes that the manufacturer has strongly advised they quickly replace. These are the same airplanes, by the way, that continue to find permanent parking places due to the state of a dying, understaffed airline. "Speed tape," as they call it here, is a fancy term for duct tape and is a quick and common fix to damaged items onboard the pre-historic aged aircraft. It is difficult taking pride in and showing your face to all of those in the back, knowing you represent the MEL'd passenger seat missing the arm cover, the sweltering 90+ degree cabin temps on hot summer days due to the aircraft's poor circulation system, the flight attendant who places her arm on the cabin sidewall to ease the noisy vibrations on takeoff, the rolling squeals in the cockpit due to pressurization leaks, or that magical silver speed tape that is plastered all over your passenger window and overhead (the list goes on). To say I am embarrassed is an understatement. I, personally, plan on making my great escape as soon as I can.
My intent in writing this is not in scaring those that are looking into a measly career at Piedmont, but to give you an idea into the daily life you will be living. There are many low-time carriers out there right now that would not only appreciate you as an advocate of their company, but show you the respect you deserve as a HUMAN BEING. About the only positive I can take away from my experience here is the people I have flown with. While many have been enjoyable and have shed light on a struggle we face on a daily basis, I am undoubtedly convinced you can find the total package (if the term exists in this industry) elsewhere.
Happy hunting!
Piedmont, like many, is currently experiencing a pilot shortage. Despite the efforts of those who voluntarily choose to work on days off, thereby giving some aid to the company's daily struggle to cover trips, very little regard is given as thanks to those who do. To be pushed up to FAA limits on a daily basis is not unheard of. To have your block times ILLEGALLY adjusted under your nose to accommodate their needs is also not unheard of (and quite common here). In this case, my advice to you is to know the regulations, because I can promise your knowledge will unknowingly be tested.
The training experience here is undoubtedly a legend (ask just about any FO who has endured the process) in the skies these days. Personally speaking (and to put it nicely), the simulator course was a disaster. Expect to learn multiple techniques from multiple instructors. Then expect to be told by the check airman on the day of your ride that those same techniques you had learned from day 1 are incorrect. Expect the instructors to care about their paychecks and very little more. Expect the unexpected! NOBODY, be it the instructors, examiners, or the POH itself, reflects a standard by-the-book procedure. I, along with many others in my class, have a training background from which I feel confident in my abilities. For the first time in my life, I doubted those same abilities and career choice from the moment I set foot in Charlotte. Oh and upon arrival, don't expect any kind of formal welcome, introduction, or greeting from the higher-ups in the training department (remember, they are above you). Piedmont's poor excuse for a training director, Jay Keen, sees you merely as another worker in the production line and nothing more. Simply put, he is a miserable man living a miserable life, and his outlook on life is contagious for most within the confines of the training department. It is an attitude that is reciprocated among many of his colleagues there. Perhaps a review of a little book entitled The Southwest Airlines Way may do some good? Don't count on it.
As for the future of the company.....ha! If there are any other options out there for you, I recommend a hard look into whatever that may be. Very little distinction is made between reserve and line holders, as your schedule will continuously change. Scheduled 4-hour days will continue to be pushed to the 14-hour limit. Attrition is perhaps higher than it has ever been here, despite management's "ingenious" attempt to spend tens of thousands of dollars to repaint airplanes that the manufacturer has strongly advised they quickly replace. These are the same airplanes, by the way, that continue to find permanent parking places due to the state of a dying, understaffed airline. "Speed tape," as they call it here, is a fancy term for duct tape and is a quick and common fix to damaged items onboard the pre-historic aged aircraft. It is difficult taking pride in and showing your face to all of those in the back, knowing you represent the MEL'd passenger seat missing the arm cover, the sweltering 90+ degree cabin temps on hot summer days due to the aircraft's poor circulation system, the flight attendant who places her arm on the cabin sidewall to ease the noisy vibrations on takeoff, the rolling squeals in the cockpit due to pressurization leaks, or that magical silver speed tape that is plastered all over your passenger window and overhead (the list goes on). To say I am embarrassed is an understatement. I, personally, plan on making my great escape as soon as I can.
My intent in writing this is not in scaring those that are looking into a measly career at Piedmont, but to give you an idea into the daily life you will be living. There are many low-time carriers out there right now that would not only appreciate you as an advocate of their company, but show you the respect you deserve as a HUMAN BEING. About the only positive I can take away from my experience here is the people I have flown with. While many have been enjoyable and have shed light on a struggle we face on a daily basis, I am undoubtedly convinced you can find the total package (if the term exists in this industry) elsewhere.
Happy hunting!
Last edited by flyguy8307; 09-21-2007 at 04:44 PM.
09-21-2007, 07:26 AM
#2
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: A-320
Posts: 6,929
Originally Posted by flyguy8307
For all who have thought, are currently thinking, or might be thinking about employment with Piedmont Airlines, you may want to TRULY consider the ramifications of your decision. I have been employed with this company for a fair amount of time now (long enough to formulate a solid evaluation) and I can honestly say that I have never, in all prior jobs, encountered such disrespect, disorder, and ill-regard for its employees as I have with this company. From my initial training experience to daily encounters with those in the scheduling department, very little gratitude and/or general regard is given to its employees. Piedmont, like many, is currently experiencing a pilot shortage. Despite the efforts of those who voluntarily choose to work on days off, thereby giving some aid to the company's daily struggle to cover trips, very little regard is given as thanks to those who do. To be pushed up to FAA limits on a daily basis is not unheard of. To have your block times ILLEGALLY adjusted under your nose to accommodate their needs is also not unheard of (and quite common here). In this case, my advice to you is to know the regulations, because I can promise your knowledge will unknowingly be tested. The training experience here is undoubtedly a legend (ask just about any FO who has endured the process) in the skies these days. Personally speaking (and to put it nicely), the simulator course was a disaster. Expect to learn multiple techniques from multiple instructors. Then expect to be told by the check airman on the day of your ride that those same techniques you had learned from day 1 are incorrect. Expect the instructors to care about their paychecks and very little more. Expect the unexpected! NOBODY, be it the instructors, examiners, or the POH itself, reflects a standard by-the-book procedure. I, along with many others in my class, have a training background from which I feel confident in my abilities. For the first time in my life, I doubted those same abilities and career choice from the moment I set foot in Charlotte. Oh and upon arrival, don't expect any kind of formal welcome, introduction, or greeting from the higher-ups in the training department (remember, they are above you). Piedmont's poor excuse for a training director, Jay Keen, sees you merely as another worker in the production line and nothing more. It is an attitude that is reciprocated among many of his colleagues there. As for the future of the company.....ha. If there are any other options out there for you, I recommend a hard look into whatever that may be. Very little distinction is made between reserve and line holders, as your schedule will continuously change. Scheduled 6-hour days will continue to be pushed to the 14-hour limit. Attrition is perhaps higher than it has ever been here, despite management's "ingenious" attempt to spend tens of thousands of dollars to repaint airplanes that the manufacturer has strongly advised they quickly replace. These are the same airplanes, by the way, that continue to find permanent parking places due to the state of a dying, understaffed airline. "Speed tape," as they call it here, is a fancy term for duct tape and is a quick and common fix to damaged items onboard the pre-historic aged aircraft. It is difficult taking pride in and showing your face to all of those in the back, knowing you represent the MEL'd passenger seat missing the arm cover, the sweltering 90+ degree cabin temps on hot summer days due to the aircraft's poor circulation system, the flight attendant who places her arm on the cabin sidewall to ease the noisy vibrations on takeoff, the rolling squeals in the cockpit due to pressurization leaks, or that magical silver speed tape that is plastered all over your passenger window and overhead (the list goes on). To say I am embarrassed is an understatement. I, personally, plan on making my great escape as soon as I can. My intent in writing this is not in scaring those that are looking into a measly career at Piedmont, but to give you an idea into the daily life you will be living. There are many low-time carriers out there right now that would not only appreciate you as an advocate of their company, but show you the respect you deserve as a HUMAN BEING. About the only positive I can take away from my experience here is the people I have flown with. While many have been enjoyable and have shed light on a struggle we face on a daily basis, I am undoubtedly convinced you can find the total package elsewhere. Happy hunting!
09-21-2007, 07:38 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: 737 Left
Posts: 828
Originally Posted by SAABaroowski
Shouldn't COLGAN be in this title hahaha j/k
By the way- I've been at Colgan for 2 years- I have done 1 repo.
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