chrisreedrules

Yea I think you may be right. PDTs hiring process was way less stringent than PSAs appears to be and I know the training at PDT certainly is different.

chrisreedrules

If I remember correctly I believe they are close to the PSA rates. And I think if they ever get jets on property and you elect to fly the Dash there will be a 2 year seat lock but you will get payed the standing Dash FO rates. I could be wrong but that is what I remember from my interview...

chrisreedrules

And I am by no means an expert, but here is my take on the recent TA... Flow was thrown out there to get the senior CAs at PDT (a sizable amount of the pilot group) to vote concessions in. The prospect of new metal is being dangled not only to get new hires coming through the door but also to get the younger portion of the pilot group to vote for job security. Most new hires coming on property in 2015 will never see the flow. Let's take a look at the numbers: 400ish pilot group by early 2015. 30ish flowing yearly and probably losing another 20 to 30 to attrition. So for ease of math's sake we'll say losing 50 p/year. That's still 6 to 8 years before the prospect of a flow would affect a new hire. Who knows what the heck will be happening with PDT that far out. And I don't think PDT will be getting the 175s. No one I've talked to seems to think so. Maybe they will get some of Envoy's 145s but I'm honestly skeptical about that too. Most of PDTs lines don't make sense with a jet and it would be a huge financial undertaking to get that ball rolling. I'm not saying it won't happen, just that I'm not sure it makes financial sense.

billyho

Kind wrong. Bottom line is that if we had voted "no" then the airline would've just gone away. We couldn't get anyone to come here at all. If we did they would train and be gone to Compass or SkyWest in 6 months. Airline would've collapsed on itself with the fact that there was no upgrades and no growth with 25 year old planes which are quickly timing out.
Yes there is a flow, but American is still hiring outside the flow. We had 3 flow and another 7 get hired outside the flow thru. Bottom line they want PDT Junior again and it's starting to work. Many of our Senior guys are now taking the flow. We are now seeing upgrades and new hire classes a much better rate.
Is Piedmont the place to be? I say no as of right now. But it damn sure is better then what it was last year at this time. I think it's moving in the right direction. If you live near any of the bases then PDT might be a good place to take a chance on. I don't think PDT will see 175s unless it involves a merger. I still think American wants those at Envoy. With that being said I do see Piedmont as merging with Envoy or PSA. Thus having the Emb division and the Bombardier Division.

People look to much into the flow thru. Think of it as a get out of jail free card. You don't have to go to American. Remember United and Delta is going to be hiring like crazy also. But not everyone gets hired for a job. So if you get turned down by Delta or United if those are the places you want it's good to know you can still hold out and have a job at American (the largest carrier in the world). Not a bad Ace to pull out of your pocket in time of need.

Lvlng4Spd

Just remember, nothing in this industry makes financial sense. ZW does PHL-ABE, LGA, SCE, etc. in a CRJ, so what sense does that make? if ZW does leave the AAG cartel for DL flying, there is your e145 PDT flying, with possible 175 flying as well. I do agree the e175 is unlikely here at PDT, but bringing the 145s allows AAG to lock in the agreed upon jet rates and insurance premiums, etc...we could also manage to keep some of our current bases with the 145.

billyho

Yes, and actually people don't realize how nice it is to have out stations at the regional level. While commuting can be a bummer one can actually get an apartment and live on there own. Try that in one of the big city hubs.

chrisreedrules

Well I accepted a January class date... See you guys there!

Lvlng4Spd

Welcome aboard! Feel free to send a PM if you have any questions.

cartean

Plenty of sense if the flights are full.

They'd put an Airbus on those routes if they could sell enough tickets.

billyho

Actually it's not just selling the tickets. You can fill the plane up but it's what you charge for ticket that matters. Airbus wouldn't work unless you were selling the ticket so cheap that filling it up was the only way you might make a penny. The yield is very important. That's why you don't see SouthWest doing this regional type hops.