End of summer turbulence is real, and it is affecting pilot careers.
“We are watching other airlines lose contracts, sell off airplanes, have their top executives leave and struggle to complete their schedules. It can be jarring for a pilot if you think your company isn’t on stable ground,” said Eddie Leverton, Vice President of Piedmont Airlines Flight Department. “We ran a very successful pilot transition program last summer for ExpressJet pilots who lost their jobs, and we thought, why not do something similar for any pilot who feels like their current situation is unstable?”
Piedmont’s “soft landing” includes all new hire bonuses and longevity pay credits offered by Piedmont, includes a dedicated concierge coordinator to make sure the transition goes smoothly, and an opportunity to speak with a chief pilot to make sure Piedmont is a good fit. Pilots bring their years of longevity from a previous carrier to start higher on the Piedmont pay scale and go through one of the best AQP training programs in the country.