New pilot pay package includes an immediate 56 percent increase in first-year wages, substantial cash retention and sizeable bonuses.

DAYTON, Ohio – PSA Airlines today announced significant changes to its pilot pay program, including industry-leading wages for new-hire pilots, an increased sign-on bonus for new recruits and retention bonuses for First Officers and Captains to create a top-tier compensation structure – marking a monumental milestone for the airline. These valuable enhancements, which are effective immediately, elevate PSA to the top of the regional industry in first-year compensation for new-hire pilots. This is an important milestone for the company’s recruiting mission to hire the best and brightest future aviators in the industry to carry out its future plans as a vital part of the American Airlines regional network.

“PSA’s new pilot compensation program is a true game-changer for our airline and we are proud to offer the highest first-year compensation in the regional industry,” said Dion Flannery, President of PSA Airlines. “This package complements the unrivaled stability and growth opportunity at our carrier and with a true seniority-based flow to American Airlines, PSA is well-positioned to offer prospective pilots the highest paying and most stable career path in commercial aviation.”

Details of the new compensation package include a 56 percent increase to the starting pay for new-hire First Officers, increasing wages from $24.62 per hour to $38.50 per hour. The airline will continue offering all new-hire pilots a $15,000 sign-on bonus, with an additional $5,000 for new-hire pilots with CRJ-type experience. PSA is also implementing a $20,000 retention bonus for First Officers hired under this new program to be paid out in installments after their one-year anniversary with the company. PSA is also instituting a $7,500 retention bonus for all Captains currently employed with the company.

With these changes, first-year pay for new-hire pilots now tops the regional industry at $58,500, plus an additional $3,000 with a commuter hotel allowance program implemented earlier this year. A pilot starting their commercial aviation career with PSA can reasonably expect to reach Captain and earn between $165,000 and $175,000 in compensation for their first three years of service with the company.

As a stable carrier owned by the largest airline in the world, PSA has a defined and committed fleet and growth plan. Since 2014, PSA has doubled its size from 49 aircraft to 115 aircraft and will continue to grow to operate 150 Bombardier CRJ aircraft.

Today’s announcement builds on the success of PSA’s sustained recruitment platform which includes the recent introduction and continued development of the airline’s Cadet Program. The program is the first of its kind and helps the most promising future pilots make a smooth transition from the classroom at top colleges, universities and flight schools to the cockpit and offers various levels of support as the Cadet’s certifications, training and experience evolves.

For more information about the benefits offered to PSA’s pilots, please visit: http://www.psaairlines.com/careers/pilots.

About PSA Airlines

PSA Airlines operates an all-jet fleet consisting of exclusively Bombardier regional jet aircraft. The company’s 2,500 employees operate nearly 700 daily flights to nearly 90 destinations. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, PSA also has flight crew bases located in Dayton, Cincinnati, Ohio, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina. PSA has maintenance facilities in Dayton and Canton, Ohio and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina. PSA operates 35 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft, 26 Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft and 54 Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The airline expects to add additional Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft and Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft to its fleet in the next two years, bringing its fleet count to 150.

rudder wrote:The CDN pilot employment market is still behaving as if it was in a supply surplus (buyer's market). Once the reality manifests itself that there is a supply shortfall based on aggregate demand - particularly at the entry level - then it will behave as a seller's market and there will be a revised compensation equilibrium.

Offering interviews and far distant future economic rewards will not be sufficient to staff today's flights at the regionals. The US is already demonstrating where things are headed.

sstaurus wrote:I can't wait for jazz/encore/sky to run out of prospects... But like mentioned above Canada seems to be 2-3 years behind the US. They'd rather put 250hr cadets in the right seat before they raise pay

DrSpaceman wrote:Transport Canada will never have the balls to implement mandatory atpl for 705. The airline lobbying in this country is too strong. Just look at how long it's taking for duty rules to be implemented...

Sadly until these rules pass we will not see the same improvements to our regionals. They will just hire more and more 200h wonders at minimum salary when the pool of qualified pilots dry up.

North Shore wrote:^ ^sorry to be a bore, but something required beforehand is a prerequisite, while something offered as a benefit is a perquisite....