Piedmont or Trans States?
06-01-2015, 02:42 PM
#1
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Piedmont or Trans States?
Hello all. I'm new to this forum, though I have been following some of the posts for a while now. A little about me.. I'm a flight instructor currently living and working in Richmond, VA. I am nearing the 1500 hour mark and have interviewed with three airlines so far... Trans States, Piedmont and PSA. I have been offered positions at all three, though have crossed PSA off my list as I would like to avoid a commute if possible. Piedmont and Trans States both have bases within driving distance (Piedmont - CHO; Trans States - IAD).
Both seem like alright fits and I have heard good things about both. Pay and upgrade times are similar, both seem to have long term solid contracts and both have bases I can drive to. I am leaning towards Trans States because of the bonus and higher pay. I'd also prefer to fly the 145 as oppose to the Dash-8, but I do understand Piedmont is getting some 145s next year.
Any advice on the pros vs. cons between these two airlines would be appreciated. I saw a similar thread comparing Air Wisconsin and Trans States, so I figured I'd open a new can of worms.
I see that Piedmont offers flow to American and this sounds REALLY great, but I have spoken to several mainline captains (two at American and one at United) who all agreed this is a recruitment tool and that flow isn't going to matter with the amount of hiring coming in the future? What is the consensus on here?
Thanks in advance for any input.
Both seem like alright fits and I have heard good things about both. Pay and upgrade times are similar, both seem to have long term solid contracts and both have bases I can drive to. I am leaning towards Trans States because of the bonus and higher pay. I'd also prefer to fly the 145 as oppose to the Dash-8, but I do understand Piedmont is getting some 145s next year.
Any advice on the pros vs. cons between these two airlines would be appreciated. I saw a similar thread comparing Air Wisconsin and Trans States, so I figured I'd open a new can of worms.
I see that Piedmont offers flow to American and this sounds REALLY great, but I have spoken to several mainline captains (two at American and one at United) who all agreed this is a recruitment tool and that flow isn't going to matter with the amount of hiring coming in the future? What is the consensus on here?
Thanks in advance for any input.
06-01-2015, 02:50 PM
#2
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The flow is a GREAT thing to have in your back pocket. Apply away to all the other airlines you want to and then blast off if you get hired elsewhere. It will be MUCH more difficult to get hired at AA if you aren't at one of the wholly owned airlines. With the new planes coming here and a much much better contract here I'd obviously suggest Piedmont.
If you have ANY specific questions I'm happy to answer them just PM me. Getting on here in the next few months will be great as a newhire
If you have ANY specific questions I'm happy to answer them just PM me. Getting on here in the next few months will be great as a newhire
06-01-2015, 03:03 PM
#3
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Posts: 577
the koolaid is strong with that one...
06-01-2015, 03:06 PM
#4
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Originally Posted by PDTpilotXX
The flow is a GREAT thing to have in your back pocket. Apply away to all the other airlines you want to and then blast off if you get hired elsewhere. It will be MUCH more difficult to get hired at AA if you aren't at one of the wholly owned airlines. With the new planes coming here and a much much better contract here I'd obviously suggest Piedmont.
If you have ANY specific questions I'm happy to answer them just PM me. Getting on here in the next few months will be great as a newhire
If you have ANY specific questions I'm happy to answer them just PM me. Getting on here in the next few months will be great as a newhire
06-01-2015, 03:10 PM
#5
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Position: DHC-8 100/300
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How am I wrong?
06-01-2015, 03:17 PM
#6
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Lol...Piedmont pilots love their Flow....oh and their superior Jumpseat privileges/flight benefits. If you take a job because of either one of those things, then your a complete moron.
06-01-2015, 03:21 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by Coneydog
Lol...Piedmont pilots love their Flow....oh and their superior Jumpseat privileges/flight benefits. If you take a job because of either one of those things, then your a complete moron.
06-01-2015, 03:36 PM
#8
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Posts: 2,137
Originally Posted by VA Pilot
I see that Piedmont offers flow to American and this sounds REALLY great, but I have spoken to several mainline captains (two at American and one at United) who all agreed this is a recruitment tool and that flow isn't going to matter with the amount of hiring coming in the future?
Thanks in advance for any input.
Thanks in advance for any input.
06-01-2015, 03:43 PM
#9
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Piedmont.
By the time you are competitive for a major it'll be about your turn to flow.
By the time you are competitive for a major it'll be about your turn to flow.
06-01-2015, 03:44 PM
#10
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PDT
I can't speak about TransStates but I've been at PDT for 8 years and this is how I see it.
The flow is nice to have but I am sitting around #200 on the seniority list. We can see who have said yes and who have said no to flowing. Right now they take 3 a month. I don't remember the exact amount but as the pilot group grows so does the number of flows. Right now there are about 75 people ahead of me from the last person who flowed til I can flow. At 3 a month, 75/3=25 months til I flow. That is also contingent on American hiring every month and nobody ahead of me changing their decision from no to yes. We have already seen them skip a month or two. And the 3 a month only has to equal out at the end of the year so they could take nobody until December then take 36 in December and it's abiding by what the flow states.
In regards to driving, CHO is an easy drive from Richmond. Many people do it. Also E145s should start arriving soon. Rumor has it they will be based in DCA or PHL. We also have a commuter policy providing 4 hotel rooms in base before and after trips.
The biggest problem at PDT right now are schedules. Senior captains who have been here over 20 years are only getting lines with contractual minimum 11 days off. We are short staffed yet I'm starting a 4 day trip tomorrow that only pays 17hrs. 4 day trips used to pay 20-24hrs. What that means is alot of sitting in hotel rooms or airport appreciation.
I will say that the people I work with are fantastic though. My dispatcher yesterday put a joke in the remarks section. It made me smile.
Whatever you decide, look at all the information out there and decide what is best for you. Good luck.
The flow is nice to have but I am sitting around #200 on the seniority list. We can see who have said yes and who have said no to flowing. Right now they take 3 a month. I don't remember the exact amount but as the pilot group grows so does the number of flows. Right now there are about 75 people ahead of me from the last person who flowed til I can flow. At 3 a month, 75/3=25 months til I flow. That is also contingent on American hiring every month and nobody ahead of me changing their decision from no to yes. We have already seen them skip a month or two. And the 3 a month only has to equal out at the end of the year so they could take nobody until December then take 36 in December and it's abiding by what the flow states.
In regards to driving, CHO is an easy drive from Richmond. Many people do it. Also E145s should start arriving soon. Rumor has it they will be based in DCA or PHL. We also have a commuter policy providing 4 hotel rooms in base before and after trips.
The biggest problem at PDT right now are schedules. Senior captains who have been here over 20 years are only getting lines with contractual minimum 11 days off. We are short staffed yet I'm starting a 4 day trip tomorrow that only pays 17hrs. 4 day trips used to pay 20-24hrs. What that means is alot of sitting in hotel rooms or airport appreciation.
I will say that the people I work with are fantastic though. My dispatcher yesterday put a joke in the remarks section. It made me smile.
Whatever you decide, look at all the information out there and decide what is best for you. Good luck.
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