Looks like 250hr new hires are right around the corner.

 

There is no way to determine this at Piedmont. Based in ROA, I just got a line after sitting on RSV most of my career with an Oct 07 DOH. It became fairly senior. I was the last in my class to get a line. But the most recent permanent bid had the most junior guy in the company is ROA based so who knows. I was based in EWN and never held a line while everyone else in my class held a line from day one out of training because it was a senior base for FOs, left EWN and it went junior. You just never know. Chances are before you finish training, another permanent bid will come out and you can get whatever choice you want.

My recommendation is pick one of the bases and make the best out of it. Find friends outside the airline industry and don't live with airline people or a crashpad. I was able to find a second job on craigslist doing manual labor. Worked for him on a couple of my days off for extra cash and then he let me work while I was on call. He understood flying was my priority and if scheduling called, I had to leave.

Although right now you won't have many reserve days where they won't use you. In the last three months I've had only 4 days of RSV where I wasn't used. My pay credit has been pushing 90 hrs on RSV each month.

Good luck

 

Thanks Higgi,

I am absolutely moving to my base, I have no reason to stay at home, and have a friend whom is also a new hire, and we will try to get an apartment together. I like the idea of the small part time job - just to stay busy, and earn some extra spending money. I am really excited for class, and it really seems like a good company to work for!

 

Don't drink the kool-aid too quickly. Make up your own mind about the company. This company spends soo much money trying to make us look of value to Tempe that they are willing to sacrifice the well being of their employees. Remember, we haven't gained any new aircraft, only gained a few extra hours based in increasing utilization of current aircraft. Ask yourself, why are we hiring?

Moving to base will help out. As for an apartment, try not to sign a long term lease just in case you don't like the base your in. I've had the best luck with craigslist especially with temporary housing.

 

Do you know how many are going to be in your class? I have heard 16 but that sounds high.

 

16 sounds right, but I bet half that shows up.

 

8 more captain positions on the April Permanent Bid

 

Heard there will be 10 upgrades next month. That would mean a second round bid.

Higgi - you're exactly right. This company is also not investing in it's employees through negotiating a new contract. We are working at 10 year old pay rates, 10 year old work rules and 10 year old quality of life in this contract. We've been negotiating for nearly 2 years with only 3 sections agreed to. The company is the one stonewalling while the Negotiating Committee works hard presenting reasonable proposals. I think this airline has a proud history. I just hope this management team realizes it's past time to make this airline a place where their employees are proud to work once again.

 

Hope, that is what management has and will always use as a weapon. We "hope" for something, and they dangle the carrot. I'm sorry to say this, but give up hope, at least here. It'll do your career a world of good. Get out while you can.

 

Early outs got pushed back until June.