Release #: PDT 21.01
August 25, 2021
Piedmont Pilots Secure Industry-Leading Agreement to Attract and Retain Professional Pilots
McLEAN, Va.—Piedmont Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), announced a tentative agreement today that would provide unprecedented benefits for all new-hire and current pilots employed at the airline, a regional carrier for American Airlines.
“As our industry works to address some of the challenges that have emerged since the pandemic, Piedmont pilots felt it was time for some creative and innovative ideas to ensure that our airline was well positioned for future success,” said Captain Brandon Lighty, chairman of the Piedmont ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC). “ALPA was pleased to work with Piedmont management on this industry-leading agreement that will not only ensure that our airline is an attractive candidate for pilots entering the profession, but that we reward those who choose to stay within the American Airlines family.”
ALPA has long maintained that to attract the best and the brightest into the profession, airlines must be dedicated to ensuring that competitive pay, benefits, and career progression opportunities are available throughout a pilot’s career. Some provisions contained within the recent Piedmont agreement include:
- $30,000 for all existing and future captains;
- $25,000 accrual for each year of service in which they have qualifying hours in the preceding calendar year, up to a maximum of two years and $50,000;
- and an additional $70,000 for pilots who choose to flow to American Airlines or get hired at American Airlines outside the flow.
These new bonuses are on top of an existing $15,000 signing bonus for all new-hire pilots, with opportunities for an additional $17,500. In addition, all current Piedmont pilots will receive a pay increase, effective November 1, 2021, that brings Piedmont’s pay in line with the other American Airlines wholly owned carriers.
“Piedmont pilots serve a critical role in the American Airlines operation and we are proud to be able to recognize those contributions with this unparalleled agreement that provides pilots with stability and new opportunities for their individual career paths,” added Lighty.
ALPA and Piedmont Airlines management will work to finalize the language of the full agreement before distributing to the 673 Piedmont pilots.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 60,000 pilots at 36 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org