Piedmont

Piedmont Airlines Pilots Shape the Future

In 2024, Piedmont Airlines pilots elected a new Master Executive Council (MEC) chair, Capt. Kimberley Gott, the previous MEC vice chair, after Capt. Justin Barnes, the former MEC chair, left the airline. Capt. Ryan Higgins was elected to fill the vice chair position, serving alongside Gott, Capt. Rick Meier, secretary-treasurer, and Capt. Chelsea Carlin, executive administrator (EA). In April, Capt. Jennie Weatherman was appointed EA after Carlin left the airline.

The Negotiating Committee was active during the year, reaching a tentative agreement with the carrier in June on preferential bidding system (PBS) provisions, and committee members continue to work on final language. In 2025, pending ratification of the tentative agreement, the PBS Committee will work toward implementing the new system.

In July, the Negotiating Committee met with management to create a voluntary leave program and surplus reduction lines, which provides pilots the opportunity to take time off with reduced or no pay while granting financial relief to the airline.

The year also saw several pilot unity-building (PUB) events in both Charlotte, N.C., and Philadelphia, Pa. In September, the MEC pivoted away from a previously scheduled PUB event at the Philadelphia Phillies baseball game to instead support striking workers with UNITE HERE Local 274, the union that represents Aramark food service employees at the three sports stadiums in south Philadelphia.

For me, my years of union volunteering have been as rewarding as a flying career would be. I’ve been exposed to so many volunteers with so much knowledge that it humbles me.

Capt. Bruce Freedman
Piedmont Airlines, Retired