Pilot Careers
Piedmont Airlines’ 1:1 longevity pay and new reserve rules for captains changes the game. Maximize your work-life balance and secure your financial future.
Pilots with 500 or more qualified flight hours of Part 121, 135 or 91K time and a type rating for the E135/140/145 can earn up to $150,000 in bonuses on their first paycheck. Qualified applicants must accept a conditional job offer before December 31, 2023, and begin training by January 31, 2024.
Looking to start your pilot career? Join Piedmont’s Cadet Program to receive a $30,000 bonus and board the fastest path to American Airlines.
If you’re interested in learning more about opportunities available at Piedmont, review our FAQs page .
Maximize Your Opportunities
Piedmont is continuing to invest in our pilots by offering industry-leading quality of life benefits.
- Expedited job offers and preferential training date
- Transition coordinator to expedite the hiring process
- 1:1 longevity credit
- Captain Pay as a First Officer with 750 qualifying hours
- First Officers start at $93 per hour and Captains start at $150 per hour
- Long-call reserve once 250 Piedmont captain hours are complete (a minimum 12-hour call-out)
- A minimum of 12 days off each month
- 150% pay on select holidays
- Contractual flow to American Airlines at 5 years or move to top of scale pay
- Expanding fleet
Pilot Jobs at Piedmont
The Fastest Path to American Airlines
Piedmont Airlines pilots are on the fastest path to American Airlines under a company contractual “flow” program with enhanced quality of life benefits, including:
- Compensating First Officers as Captains after accumulating 750 flight hours
- Minimum of 4 hours of flight pay for each day(s) of the assignment
- Commuting pilots in non-hub locations will receive four hotel nights per month
- 50% bonus on select holidays (including the “Big Football Game”) for all pilots
- Minimum of 12 days off and additional enhancements to bid schedules
- Captains flow to American Airlines in five years, or move to top of pay scale until they flow
Pay & Benefits
Upgrade to Captain
$150/hour
Year one Captain
$153.75/hour
Year two Captain
- After 2,500 total hours and 1,000 Part 121 hours, bid for captain
First Officer Compensation
$93/hour
First year pay for First Officers
75 hours/month
Guaranteed
Time off
12 days off per month guaranteed minimum
4 hour min day
100 percent trip cancellation and dead head pay
42 hours paid sick leave per year
5 paid vacation days in your first year
6 paid holidays
10 paid vacation days in your second year
World Class Benefits
Travel privileges for you, your family and friends across the American Airlines global network
401 (k) plan through Fidelity, with a company match
High quality affordable health insurance is best in the industry
PPO covers doctor visits, hospitalization, prescriptions and vision
Generous commuter policy including up to 4 commuter hotels a month
Long call reserve – 12 hours to report
Reserve Captains are guaranteed Long Call Reserve after obtaining 250 Captain hours
Bid on crew base assignments based on vacancies and seniority
Earn your Stripes Quickly
At Piedmont, you may start as a first officer, but that doesn’t mean you’ll stay in the right seat longer than you need to. Before your guaranteed job at American, Piedmont pilots have the opportunity to become captains in 12-15 months, which increases your pay. It’s even sooner for pilots with Part 121 experience.
Crew Bases
Charlotte, NC
Two hours from the mountains, three to the coast, Charlotte has it all. Hiking, biking, rafting and the mild year-round climate to enjoy it. Fly Embraer jets from CLT, American’s largest East Coast hub, and build your career in a vibrant city that’s growing but still small enough to retain its Southern charm that always says hello.
Philadelphia, PA
Piedmont’s prime location and growing Philadelphia hub offer pilots another great situation. You’ll challenge your skills with East Coast takeoffs and landings. You’ll live where everything’s within reach. Operate within easy distance of all that makes the East great – dynamic cities, rich culture, live sports, top dining, the beach and mighty Atlantic. Position your career, your life – in the center of it all.
Harrisburg, PA
US News and World Report ranked Harrisburg, the state capitol of Pennsylvania, as the #1 Best Place to Live in Pennsylvania. Located along the banks of the Susquehanna River, Harrisburg is an eclectic mix of wilderness and city life, as well as the old and the new, making it a perfect destination for your pilot career. From hiking trails and outdoor recreational activities for the outdoor enthusiast to living within a few hours’ drive from major cities like New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Harrisburg has something for everyone.