Xjet, RAH, SkyWest, USAjet, Virgin America, Jet Blue, Alaska, Avant, a few have been interviewed at Atlas over the last 12 months but I don't believe any were hired, and a couple to corporate gigs.

 

Anyone know when they are going to upgrade anymore? Was told the reason the last few bids have not had upgrades has something to do with being short on the fo side. It does appear a lot of fo's have jumped ship in the last few months.

 

Yes, There has been quite a few FOs that have jumped ship. It is mainly the new FOs that just finished training and are not even off probation yet.

 

What base are the new hires getting at Piedmont? How long does it take to get a line?

 

All five bases are fair game, if you don't get the base you want in the first bid you will in the next bid or so. As for holding a line it just depends on the base, for me it was six months.

I have to offer a word of warning. Unless you are just dead set to be a piedmonster, this is probably not your best option since so many more are hiring. Read through this thread and you will figure out why.

When I first came onboard I had a positive attitude and did not believe all the negative about PDT. I am still trying to stay positive but after hanging around for almost a year and witnessing first hand how this place operates I realize that a lot of it is true. The sad thing is I turned down jobs at other regionals because I thought this is were I wanted to be, now I am thinking I made a mistake.

Best of luck if you do decide to join us, you will need it in training.

 

FWIW, I was a June 03 hire that jumped ship in June 07 to go to RAH. I've always questioned that decision. Coming up on my 5th anniversary here at RAH and I'm still in the right seat with no upgrade in sight unless this deal to get the DH4 goes through and the award goes junior. The last bid just started to take some of the early 07 hires. The grass ain't always greener.

 

Thanks for the info....upgrade is about 5 years right? How many piedmont guys and girls are going the mainline per year? I heard 48 but most of the senior people don't want to leave for mainline because of their age and its not worth the pay cut.

 

My honest opinion? Piedmont is done in 2 years, maybe sooner. The writing is on the wall, and has been for a while. Management is dragging this contract out for the sole purpose of us never getting a new contact before the doors close. What a great deal for them! 12 years on a concessionary contract. Mainline is willing to offer AA pilots a lucrative contract, mainline can afford new Airbus's, PSA renews their leases, Skywest picks up Airways flying, senior instructors at Piedmont leaving, etc. We are the only ones who are losing aircraft, and have NO plans for replacement. If management gave us everything we are asking for in our contract, it wouldn't add up to 5% of what mainline is offering AA. There is money to be spent, just not on Piedmont, and there never will be.
Upgrade? For a new hire, forget about it. It'll be indefinite. Why aren't we upgrading captains? There aren't that many captains leaving, and we are shrinking. We are hiring FO's because the revolving door has started up again. Sorry everyone for the doom and gloom, but these are the facts. Those that are invested here, stay until the last day if it suits you. Those that are new, do what you will, but my recommendation is run to the next best thing if your personal life allows for it. Good luck to all.

 

How's the new PHL chief pilot working out?

 

He's the most effective CP this airline has ever had.