Piedmont Airlines Pilot Careers & Salary: A Comprehensive Guide

• Understanding Piedmont Airlines Careers: If you’re considering applying for job openings at Piedmont Airlines, it’s crucial to first understand the company’s hiring requirements and pay structure to maximize your airline career potential.

• Wage Determinants: Skills, experience, and logged flight hours are major factors that influence wages for both Captain and First Officer positions. Therefore, it’s beneficial to compare the entry-level pilot salary at Piedmont to the industry average to get a clearer view of the compensation you can expect.

• Beyond Salary: Though salary is often the first concern for applicants, Piedmont Airlines careers offer various other perks and benefits. These include but are not limited to insurance, paid time off (PTO), and jumpseat privileges, which collectively enhance the overall employment package.

• Comprehensive Hiring Program: Piedmont Airlines has a hiring program that covers its entire fleet, with pay scales that vary according to your unique qualifications and experience. It’s vital to research all aspects, from hiring prerequisites to additional perks, for a well-rounded understanding of the opportunities available.

• Conclusion: Before applying, thoroughly familiarize yourself with all facets of Piedmont Airlines’ employment offerings, from salary to additional benefits, to make an informed and advantageous career decision.

Piedmont Airlines Hiring Requirements Overview

Airline Type: U.S. Regional

Pilots: 746

Aircraft Type: Embraer 145

Headquarters: Salisbury, Maryland

Hubs: 

• Charlotte
• Philadelphia

Origin: Founded in 1931 as Henson Flying Service, a fixed-based operator, Piedmont Airlines began operating under American Airlines in 2016. Piedmont Airlines provides service to over 55 cities, primarily across the eastern U.S.

Homepage: Piedmont Airlines

Piedmont Cadet Program

Certified Flight Instructors in the Piedmont Cadet program receive the following benefits from Piedmont Airlines once they reach a minimum of 500 flight hours:

• Up to $5,000 tuition reimbursement (disbursed every 100 hours until minimum airline requirements are met)
• Airline pilot career mentorship and support
• Funding for ATP-CTP course, transportation, and housing, once minimum ATP/R-ATP requirements are met
• Reserved new hire class spot, once minimums are reached
• Additional $6,000 tuition reimbursement (disbursed at the start of the new hire class)

Piedmont Cadet Qualifications:

• Success interview as CFI with minimum 400 flight hours
• Sign one-year letter of commitment
• FAA Instrument rating
• Current FAA first class medical certificate
• FCC Restricted Radiotelephone license
• Current passport

First Officer Hiring Requirements

• FAA commercial pilot’s license with multi-engine and instrument ratings
• 50 hours of multi-engine fixed-wing flight time (may be reduced to 25)
• 200 hours cross-country flight time
• 250 hours fixed-wing PIC
• 100 hours of cross-country as PIC
• 100 hours of night flying
• 75 hours of instrument time (actual or simulated – 50 hours must be in airplanes)
• 25 hours of night PIC
• Must be at least 21 years of age and finish ATP written prior to start of New Hire Training
• Total flight time minimums:
  • 1,500 hours
  • 1,250 hours – with qualifying 2- or 4-year aviation university program with 30 aviation hours
  • 1,000 hours – with qualifying 2- or 4-year aviation university program with 60 aviation hours
  • 750 hours – military flight training graduates

Additionally, candidates must have the following qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Current FAA first class medical certificate
• Current passport
• IFR Currency
• FCC Radio Operator’s Permit
• Ability to legally work in the United States
• Ability to travel in and out of the United States
• English Proficient Endorsement

Preferred qualifications:

• Accredited college degree – Explore Epic’s aviation college programs
• Employed in paid pilot position

Steps for Piedmont to American Airlines:

1. Apply to the Piedmont Cadet Program with Airline Apps

• No school affiliation required
• Must have CPL with multi-engine and IR
• Must have 400 hours total time to interview
• Pilots with fewer than 400 hours can join Piedmont Ambassador Program
• Benefits include mentorships, internships, and promotional materials.

2. Interview at American Airlines Flight Training Center

• If needed, AA will fly you to Charlotte and provide hotel accommodations.
• Benefits include $7,500 signing bonus and full American Airlines flight benefits when you sign your cadet contract.

3. Build Time and Get Paid

• You decide how and where to build hours.
• AA will pay you each time you add 100 hours of flight time (up to $5,000) as part of their new hire pilot bonus.
• Benefits include up to $5,000 bonus through time-building

4. Reach ATP/R-ATP Minimums to Enroll in ATP-CTP Course

• AA pays for your ATP/CTP course and exam.
• AA provides transportation and hotels.
• Benefits include AA covering these costs – approximately $5,000

5. Begin First Officer Training

• You will be placed in the AA transition queue on your first day of training.
• No separate interview required.
• Benefits include $5,000 once you pass training and achieve your operating experience. You’ll receive $8,000 after one year as a Piedmont pilot.

So, exactly how much can I earn as a Piedmont Airlines pilot?

Here is a sampling of Piedmont pilot hourly wages. Pilot pay changes based on various factors, such as type of plane, years of experience, etc. For instance, this is for the ERJ145.

Pay and Bonus Breakdown

First Officer Year One: $36.76 per flight hour (up to 1,000 hours)

First Officer Signing Bonus: Up to $21,200

First Officer Retention Bonus: $20,000 (after 1 year of flying)

Pilot Referral Bonuses: $5,000 (per successful referral)

American Airlines Flow Program

Piedmont Airlines pilots in the American Airlines Flow Program secure an American Airlines First Officer position without an interview.

Qualifications:

• New hires must fly for a minimum of one year with Piedmont Airlines
• Pilots that upgrade to Captain must fly for a minimum of one year with Piedmont Airlines

Our flight school provides the training you need to get started for a career with Piedmont Airlines. We wish you well in your commercial airline pilot career and hope you land your dream job!

Although we strive to provide the most accurate information regarding hiring requirements for commercial airlines, we encourage you to confirm the above information directly with the airline.

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