After reading these threads and talking to other pilots I'm seriously considering withdrawing my acceptance as a Piedmont cadet.



Does anyone know what the process for doing this is? I'm able and ready to return the instructor bonus money I've received.



Will I be blacklisted from AA? Do they even care about this kind of thing as I'm still a couple hundred hours from my ATP minimums and Piedmont hasn't paid for anything else yet.



Thank you in advance.

Why are you considering withdrawing when you haven’t even started?
Forgive my ignorance as I’m not familiar with the details of this program?

Don’t do it out of reaction to things you read here.

Today’s turd could be tomorrow’s diamond. The outlook could change quite fast if they announce more flow or pay increases/more bonuses for the veteran crew members. Wait until the last moment. Evaluate at that time and then decide.

Lol “more flow” don’t understand why everyone here gets all tied up in knots over plus or minus 1 flow a month. Outside of the small group that hit the timing just right, the flow is a joke. More flow should be on the bottom of the list this place needs.

It’s the same at all of the WOs... If you were hired 2014/2015 the flow is going to work out pretty nice for you most likely. 2017 and beyond I’m not sure why it even factors into the decision unless you’re otherwise unqualified to be competitive outside the flow or unless AA is your one and only.

Listen to this guy. He is what we call the local Piedmont expert.

Hey you finally learned.

I came in through the cadet program at the last minute as I wanted to keep my options open, but having extra cash the last couple months was nice. I wouldn't worry about being "blacklisted" or anything, I highly doubt anyone in the cadet program has the ability to coordinate that kind of thing. I had to constantly bug them just to get the checks I was owed. Just send some emails to whoever recruited you in, return the cash, and if things at PDT change by the time you have your hours apply outside of it. The way I see it, staffing this place is a continual crisis and you have that working for you. Also, the chance of things "turning around" here anytime soon seems pretty low, so keeping your options open sounds like a great plan.

Didn’t want to make a new thread so~

I’m a CFI right now, and I’m getting a job at a pilot mill to speed up my hours. I should be at ATP mins in about 13 months or so. I noticed the school i’ll be working at when I move is a partner with PDT. I’m just wondering if the cadet program is worth it or not. Ideally, my #1 choice for the regionals is PSA, but I think it’s good to also have back up plans. So I was thinking of doing the PDT cadet program as a backup Incase for some reason PSA doesn’t hire me when the time comes.

Any opinions?

You’re gonna get hired man, cadet or not. I was a cadet for a year and I wish I hadn’t because I actually would’ve chosen a different regional if I had waited. Things change fast, like pay and other things that might affect your decision. Just hold off committing to an airline until you have your hours and then make the decision the closer you get.