PDT uses the three letters "AQP" to justify not teaching you something in class. It's "home study". Basically, come to class, pay attention, do your work on time and you'll be fine. cooperate and graduate.
Also with AQP their job is to get you through flying the airplane. To hell with having a life. Like where you're going to be based, when you'll be done with training, moving time, etc. Ground school is the only thing that is fixed. After that, you could go right into sim or you could be off for a week (but still making min. guarantee 72 hrs. either way). I don't mean to be a downer, but you won't be coasting. The only advantage? We're so short on pilots they NEED you to pass.
BTW, you'll probably be on reserve for a month or two then go right into a build up line or hard schedule. In SBY we have one FO on reserve for the month of May.

 

Now that was funny...

 

Thanks guys lots of good info!

 

You should have been there when Dickie was running the show and Lew DeWeese was the CP...

 

someones not very happy

 

Haha.....not trying to put words in anyone's mouth (and I know Phuz will be the very first to correct me if I'm wrong), but at a place like PDT, enthusiasm and optimism can be taken the wrong way (learned that lesson myself). It's great to be motivated, but this isn't summer camp you are showing up for. This is a career and a profession, not a fun hobby.

I think it's great that the new hires are interested in getting started and asking questions about training/QOL/etc. Good to see people doing research before they show up. However, to a pilot group like Piedmont's that has seen nothing but cutbacks, loss of flying/airplanes, and a revolving door of first officers over the last five years, it's easy to wonder why one would want to get involved in all this.

 

It is not even funny, it's as true as the sun is hot. It's sad, what's worse is that people are still showing up for training. I understand for some of the guys that are there, the right way out for each has not presented itself and for the old captains, they'll be there till the doors close.

But the starry eyed guys still lining up for a job, why, just why?
The reason they are hiring is because of massive attrition, and 95% have been to "lateral" moves.

No amount of any of us saying don't do it will dissuade these guys, and it's sad because things will not change there as long as they can get warm bodies in the seats. As soon as they can't find people, and can't jr.man anyone else by mid year, flights will cancel due to crew, and Airways will have that sleezy shark of a CEO worrying that his $350k/yr middle management job will be gone before he can say "I'll fix this".
Pay and work rules will get better if they are held to the fire, but for every new guy that shows up, Farrow knows his job is safe, and he will not have to come to the table with a contract.

The nay-sayers say that's impossible, they have a contract, it doesn't work like that. Yes it does, the contract has been amendable for 2 years, they can come to the table with a reasonable package and sign the contract, so all the guys who are taking that job are further providing the company ammunition to oppress and hold back progress for the pilot group.

Hope all you newbies realize that you are the worst thing happening to your fellow Piedmont pilots.

 

Piedmont is actually a step up for a lot of the new hires, obviously that's why.

I know it's hard to believe but, pilots on this board and other web boards are working non-aviation jobs with similar or, less pay than what they could make as a pilot at PDT.

Are you going to blame that flight instructor working at a small FBO, flying piston single engine for showing up to class at PDT?

If you're not happy with PDT you can always be one of those lateral move guys. Mesaba called me last month, CommutAir last week. Options are out there.

 

I did, I left in march. I have a lot of friends there and a lot who have left, my feelings are not unique.

As for a step up, there are a lot of other places hiring, and if it means instructing for 2-4 more months to get the time, for those who would do it, you're better off.

 

If you want to work someplace more respectable and not feel like you are walking on eggshells everyday, apply to ASA/XJT on airlineapps.com, ill even put in a good word for you, I was at Piedmont for 3 and a half years and I have to say its all true, if you all think you are going to upgrade immediately, you DONT know what you are getting into , this place isnt for you. Unless you intend to relocate to any one of their 5 "outstation" domiciles, reserve WILL suck if you are a new hire F/O or a "forever" reserve Captain. When you new guys get out there on the line after a while, you will see everything alot of us have been pointing out and will decide for yourself if you want to put up with most of the BS that goes on around there.