logo

Direct Entry Captain

Piedmont Airlines

About Us

Piedmont Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines, is actively seeking Direct Entry Captains candidates to command our fleet of Embraer 145 regional jets at our Philadelphia, PA, Charlotte, NC and Harrisburg, PA crew bases. Join Piedmont as a Direct Entry Captain and maximize your career earnings. Bring your longevity from your current airline to earn even more. Enjoy the view from the left seat while being one of the highest paid pilots in the regional airline industry. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage, paid life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, and family travel privileges within the American Airlines system.

Captain Compensation

Captain Wage Scales
Year 06/29/2023 06/29/2024
1 $150.00 $153.75
2 $153.75 $157.50
3 $157.50 $161.25
4 $161.25 $165.00
5 $165.00 $168.75
6 $168.75 $172.50
7 $172.50 $176.25
8 $176.25 $180.00
9 $180.00 $183.75
10 $183.75 $187.50
11 $187.50 $191.25
12 $191.25 $195.00
13 $195.00 $198.75
14 $198.75 $202.50
15 $202.50 $206.25
16 $206.25 $210.00
17 $210.00 $213.75
18 $213.75 $217.50
19 $217.50 $221.25
20 $217.50 $221.25
  • Captains flow to mainline after 5 years of service or be paid top of scale until they flow. Direct entry captains can bring their longevity and start on steps 2 through 20

Bonus Structure

  • Pilots with 950+ qualified flight hours of Part 121, 135 or 91K time will receive a $100,000 experience bonus on their first payday, while pilots with 500-950 hours of qualifying Part 121 time will receive $75,000 on their first payday if they accept a conditional job offer before September 30, 2023 and begin class within 90 days.
  • Referral Bonus - $10,000 per DEC, $5,000 per HTFO

Insurance and Retirement

  • Medical insurance plan with a zero-dollar deductible.
  • Employer pays 67% of the cost for employee.
  • Prescription and vision included.
  • Additional lower cost plans available.
  • Dental Insurance available with no-cost preventative care.
  • 100% company paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
  • 401(k) available and company contribution of 4% after one year of service

Additional Benefits

  • Bring your longevity from your current airline to earn even more
  • Commuter hotel rooms. 6 per quarter (hub domiciles) 4 per month (non-hub domiciles)
  • Training at the American Airlines Training Center in CLT
  • 100 percent trip cancellation and dead head pay
  • Bid on crew base assignments based on vacancies and seniority
  • Guaranteed long call reserve available after 250 hours as a Piedmont Captain
  • 4-hour minimum day guarantee
  • 12 minimum days off per month

Minimum Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Valid United States passport or a valid passport with authorization to work in (and re-enter) the United States
  • FCC Radiotelephone Operator Permit
  • Current FAA First-Class Medical Certificate
  • Meet all FAA requirements to carry passengers for 2 years from your date of hire
  • 2,450 hours of total flight time
  • Appropriate FAA pilot certificates for obtaining upgrade qualifying flight hours
  • 950+ FAR Part 121.436(a) upgrade qualifying flight hours

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Type Rating in a Part 25 Aircraft
  • Current employment in a pilot position

At Piedmont Airlines, we are proud of what we do each and every day. Our pilots are some of the best in the industry, our safety record is unparalleled, and we offer outstanding training, benefits, and travel privileges. From coast to coast, Piedmont employs over 10,000 aviation professionals in customer service, maintenance, and flight operations. Start here and see how far you can go.

Ready to join us?