At Piedmont Airlines, prioritizing safety goes beyond meeting regulations; it’s about fostering a culture where every employee is empowered and has the responsibility, to be an active participant in ensuring a positive and proactive safety and security and culture.

This philosophy is embedded within Piedmont’s Safety Management System (SMS), an ever-evolving framework that integrates safety into the core of an organization and at the heart of every decision.  

Since its inception in 2011, Piedmont’s SMS has embraced a data-driven approach, ensuring continuous improvement in all aspects of safety management.  “Over the years, our SMS has matured covering more aspects of the organization including both operational and support departments. By expanding the reach of our SMS, we can better identify and manage hazards and risks,” said  Piedmont’s Vice President of Safety   Julie Schell. “We have a great relationship with the FAA whom we work collaboratively with to not only ensure compliance but to improve and go above and beyond what’s required.” 

SMS creates safety initiatives that are accessible to all employees, including safety reporting for all work groups, recognizing that employee input and feedback is fundamental to a strong safety culture.  

“A good safety culture thrives when everyone feels empowered to identify and report hazards,” Schell explains. “It’s about recognizing that every team member, from the CEO to a ramp agent, plays a vital role in ensuring the highest level of safety and security.” 

Piedmont’s safety department collects and monitors data from team members across the airline. “We constantly analyze data to identify areas for enhancement and refine our processes,” said Candace Degroat, Manager of Safety Programs at Piedmont. “Piedmont’s SMS isn’t just about compliance; it’s about continuous improvement.” 

Degroat oversees safety programs for the Inflight, Flight, Maintenance and Dispatch departments. “I think our safety culture is awesome,” she says. “It’s been amazing to see the whole airline work together. With all the programs that I work with and in every department, everybody is willing to help.” 

“SMS has broken down silos in the airline,” said Joe Battisti, Senior Manager of Flight and Maintenance Safety at Piedmont . “It fosters communication across departments, ensuring that every decision considers safety implications for the entire organization.” 

Safety is a niche sub-section of the aviation industry, but it’s an initiative that brings the entire industry together. 

“When it comes to airline safety, there’s nothing that’s proprietary,” Battisiti says. “We share best practices and learnings across the industry because we all understand that everyone benefits from a safer airspace.” 

The recent FAA regulations expanding SMS coverage to smaller carriers and airports will further enhance industry-wide collaboration and safety. “Safety is not a competitive point in the industry – it’s a sharing point,” Schell adds. 

As the airline industry grows and evolves, safety collaboration is key. “A change can start with a ramp agent identifying a hazard and that can boil all the way up to changes in the industry,” says Schell. “That’s why safety reporting and communication is so critical.” 

At Piedmont, safety isn’t just a priority, it’s a core value. By fostering a culture of open communication, continuous improvement, and collaborative action, Piedmont is building a safer future for passengers, team members, and the entire aviation industry. 

Are you ready for your career to take flight? Learn more about opportunities at Piedmont by visiting piedmont-airlines.com.

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