freezingflyboy

I wanted to know what some of you thought of Piedmont. As a UND instructor, I have known a lot of people who have gone there and a lot who have come back. I know they have prehistoric Dash 8s, the bases suck and pay is mediocre but upgrade time isn't too bad and they have been fairly stable. As a side note, any thoughts on the impact the US Airways/America West merger will have on Piedmont operations? Any talk of them becoming part of the monstrosity that is Mesa? Thanks

KiloAlpha

What's so bad about Mesa?

dhc8fo

Well, I think you should check some of your facts. The Dash's aren't prehistoric. They are all mid 1990's or better and other than a few of the original 100s, they are rather nice planes to fly.

The bases don't suck, of course I guess it all depends on what you think it means to suck. Norfolk, Syracuse, Charlottesville, Roanoke, and Charlotte are all normal cities with everything you need. I don't even think New Bern or Salisbury suck, but that is just me.

Upgrade time is AWFUL. I have been here over five years and am JUST NOW looking at an upgrade. This not the place to come for a quick upgrade.

And the pay is still better than most other regional airlines despite all that we have had to give away. Nothing is changing with the merger. We make AMW/USA money, and there is no way we can become a Mesa because no one can afford us....things change all the time...but as of today, these are my thoughts....

IFlyFL410

If you want a quick upgrade, by your own Dash 8 and go pay for your own upgrade on it......that's your only hope.

Laxrox43

As far as I know for Mesa, they are droping the US Airways livery. US Airways is sick of them, and Mesa is sick of US Airways...thats what I was told by an inside source...?

The bases really aren't too bad bud. Charolotte, Norfolk (all of the above) are very nice cities. Paywise, Piedmont is the best paying Turbo-Prop job on the east coast. The upgrade time is just as much as a place like ExJet or ASA.

I have gotten a chance to fly the DHC8 sim at US Airways HQ at CLT, and yes...the Dash has round dials, but so what. It is actually the most sophisticated T-prop that you can fly. By professionals, it is right up there with the Airbus. Granted its not FBW technology, but for its time, it is a VERY complex machine. If I had to fly a T-prop to start out, that would be the one, because to me it is the most facinating. I have read the POH from an Ex Allegheny Capt. and its a pretty neat A/C. Anyways, I am rambling.

If you are looking for a quick upgrade, this is not the place to be. But if you are looking for almost a gaurenteed job (because you go to UND), then knock your socks off! Just remember, have fun with whatever it is you are flying.

D

freezingflyboy

Sounds suspicously like PFT... And as much as I've spent on my ratings up to this point, I think I'll just keep instructing instead of dropping cash on a Dash 8. No one has bigger ba!!s than a Seminole driver I have no qualms about being at a regional for a few years before moving on to the "big show". After all, I AM applying to Horizon I'd rather have some seniority at a stable regional than be bottom of the totem pole at a major the next time the sh!t hits the fan.

Sounds like a trend for Mesa. Didn't United get fed up with them a while back and drop them as a feeder? Thought I remembered something about that but it looks like United might have picked them back up to cover the loss of AWAC.

To be fair, the Connie was a "VERY complex machine" for its time. I got nothing against non-FBW aircraft or round dials. I look at both round dials and glass every day (the glass IS in a Piper Warrior, woooohoooo). Just from what I've heard from people here who have come back from Piedmont (yes, left an AIRLINE to go back to INSTRUCTING), the airplanes are worn out. I guess anything that vibrates that much for that long is bound to wear out after a while.

freezingflyboy

Except for making you pay to interview with them, sub-standard pay and poor working conditions (according to some on these forums and others, I don't have any first hand experience with them) nothing, I guess. But lets put it this way, I would take a sizeable paycut from my current job for the first 2 years at Mesa so I think I'll stay here and make more money AND get to make my own schedule instructing. They're not a bad deal for some people though. A former Mesa pilot (current FO with SWA) once told me "they are what they are. If you don't care about QOL and just need a stepping stone, they are not a bad place to be."

fosters

Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Piedemont's Norfolk base closing due to AWAC establishing a crew base there?

fosters

Weave

Look at their contract, place is a dump with many disgruntled employees.

Jonesthepilot

yep i agree