Against the odds: a passion for aviation that ignited a pilot’s journey

For nine years, Tecate, Mexico native and Piedmont First Officer Daisy Soto woke up at 3:00 a.m., walked to the California border, and drove an hour to attend school in the U.S., all to pursue her dream of flying. Growing up, she had never seen a female pilot and although she didn’t know English, she was determined to make her aviation dream come true.

“My goal to become a pilot is what got me out of bed every day,” shares Daisy. Not knowing anyone in the United States, she travelled with her father each weekday across the border only to arrive before her high school opened. “I made friends with the janitors who would open up and let me in so I could be warm and sleep,” recalls Daisy. At age 15 she learned English, thanks in part to listening to American music.

After graduation, she continued commuting for four years across the border to attend San Diego State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She never lost sight of her goal to become a pilot and after five years, she applied for United States citizenship to take advantage of additional resources on her path to becoming a pilot. She applied to the American Airlines Cadet Academy and had an in-person interview scheduled before the pursuit of her dream took an unexpected pause.

In December 2019, Daisy suffered injuries from a serious car accident resulting in her learning how to walk again. “I was denied entrance into the Cadet Academy, and it destroyed me,” recalls Daisy. While working her way through therapy, Daisy decided to apply to the Cadet Academy again. She received an invitation for an interview and was thrilled to have been given a second chance. At the onset of the pandemic, she was accepted into the Cadet Academy and her dream began to take flight.

Daisy shares that the Cadet Academy paid for some of her flight training with scholarships and she received an additional scholarship from Women in Aviation. As a cadet, she was given opportunities to interview with American’s regional carriers. “I met a Piedmont recruiter at the Women in Aviation (WAI) conference and found Piedmont to be very welcoming when I talked to them,” recalls Daisy. “I also talked to a female pilot at WAI and decided that Piedmont’s family atmosphere was a good fit for me.”

Daisy joined Piedmont’s Cadet Program when she reached 500 flight hours and began pilot training in March 2024. “Flight Training was tough but everyone I encountered helped me and wanted to see me succeed,” shares Daisy. “Obtaining my commercial pilot’s license and learning all the terminology was like learning English all over again.”

Famous as the first pilot from her small Mexican town, Daisy is somewhat of a local celebrity. “It was pretty cool when little kids came up to me and asked me if I was the pilot that was on news,” she says with a smile.

Daisy is proud of her Hispanic heritage and even though Hispanic Heritage Month runs September 15 through October 15, she proudly celebrates her heritage all year. “Family is very important in Hispanic culture,” she shares. “September 16 is our Independence Day and there is a big festival in Mexico. I enjoy introducing people to my culture, music and food. It’s important to take pride in where you are from.”

Daisy knew it would be a challenge to become a pilot as a minority female, but she never gave up. She has a female pilot mentor from American Airlines and says seeing female pilots inspired her during her journey. Daisy is now a mentor to other pilots through Women in Aviation.

“I wanted to become a pilot so bad; it still feels like I am dreaming.” Daisy is proud of her journey and looks forward to becoming a Captain for American Airlines in the future.

Are you ready to start your journey as a Piedmont pilot? Join our Cadet Program or apply as a First Officer today.