Sat, Jun 18, 2022
Regional Airline Aims to Draw and Retain Pilots
Piedmont Airlines, Inc.—the American regional airline and wholly owned subsidiary of the American Airlines Group—has reached an agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). The deal will see Piedmont pilots substantially exceed their regional peers in both pay and benefits.
Voting members of ALPA’s Master Executive Council (MEC) unanimously agreed to accept the contract extension, which increases first year Captain pay from $78/hr to $146/hr, and first year, first officer pay from $51/hr to $90/hr. The increase comes outside of the contract amendable date and includes a contract extension from 2024 to 2029.
Piedmont pilot wages will be 50-70% higher (57% on average) than the next highest paid regional carrier. Including all bonuses, new Piedmont pilots may expect to earn 31% more than their nearest, regional peers, and 10% more than pilots at leading Ultra Low-Cost Carriers (ULCCs) over the first five years.
Piedmont expects to hire more than 400 pilots in 2022, with emphasis on experienced captains who can train directly into the left seat. Additional contract modifications allow pilots from other airlines to credit their longevity toward increased pay at Piedmont.
In addition to pay increases, the new agreement affords Piedmont pilots: a five-year flow to American (with the caveat that pilots who do not flow after completing five full years of Piedmont service will move to top-of-scale Captain pay—$213/hr); a provision granting First Officers Captain-scale-pay at 750 flight hours; an increase in per diem to $1.90/hr; 12 days off per month on a majority of hard lines (in addition to holidays), and increased Line Check-Airman premium pay of up to 100%.
Piedmont CEO and President Eric Morgan said of the agreement, “We want to grow this airline and we need pilots to do that. This deal will attract new first officers and the experienced captains we need for future opportunities, while also taking really good care of the pilots already flying for Piedmont.”
Piedmont will hold virtual Pilot information sessions on 14 June and 21 June 2022.
Pilots interested in employment with Piedmont may apply at AirlineApps.com, or reach a recruiter at FlyPiedmont@aa.com.
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