A third American Airlines regional carrier increases pilot pay

Piedmont Airlines said Thursday it will join PSA Airlines and Envoy Air, two other regional carriers for American Airlines, in boosting first year pilot pay to $58,800 with a guaranteed job at American Airlines.

Starting wages at the Salisbury, Md. carrier will increase from $29.38 to $38.80 an hour. Piedmont will offer new pilots a $15,000 signing bonus, and a $20,000 retention bonus paid in installments after one year of service.

PSA Airlines and Envoy Air (formerly American Eagle) announced similar pilot wage increases last week in an effort to lure new aviators at a time when many senior pilots are near the mandatory retirement age of 65, and it's more difficult and expensive to become a pilot.   The three carriers operate short-haul or "express" flights for American and merger partner US Airways.