Don't know who the anonymous Allegiant pilot was that wrote this (a smart one, for sure), but it came out in an IBT email this morning. Perfectly encapsulates the 200 pages on this thread and describes the mood at Allegiant.


A Line Pilot’s Perspective

Allegiant Board Members,

Over two years ago I received a letter from Allegiant Air (Travel Co.) Chairman and CEO Maurice J. Gallagher. In this letter he gave his thoughts as to why it would be bad for the company, and therefore me as an employee, to vote for union representation. I won’t recite all of his arguments, but I will focus on his last and most controversial statement. In it he warned that if I voted yes to a union, that the company would not roll over and agree to union demands that are geared toward turning Allegiant Air into just “another f….ing airline”. (Click here to view the letter.)

Here I sit two years later and I wonder. Maybe I would be better off if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’?

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, we would have a functioning and accurate payroll system that could get my payroll right after 15 months of it being wrong.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, I could go an entire week without having some sort of extended mechanical delay.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, I could devote less energy and attention taking care of problems that originate outside of the cockpit and devote more energy and attention to preventing mistakes inside the cockpit.

MAYBE if we were just ’another f….ing airline’, I wouldn’t hesitate to tell people where I work for fear of hearing how much they hate Allegiant because of one, or many horrible experiences while traveling on us.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, our CEO would stop trying to re-invent the wheel by developing in-house technology and software that doesn’t work and in reality just makes his employees’ jobs more difficult.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, a new hire pilot could get through training in under 10 months.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, we wouldn’t be the ONLY U.S. airline to purchase and keep using Merlot Crew Scheduling Software despite its major deficiencies.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, I wouldn’t have worked hundreds of extra unpaid duty hours due to PREVENTABLE mechanical and operational delays.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, all departments would be adequately staffed and provided the necessary resources to get the job done RIGHT, not just get the job done.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’ we wouldn’t constantly be stepping over quarters to pick up dimes.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’ we wouldn’t have employees who are actually CONCERNED about putting their families on our flights.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, the frontline operational employees wouldn’t have such a poor opinion of the company for which they work.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, our CEO would realize that 17 percent profit margins, record high stock prices, and returning big dividends to shareholders, doesn’t make his employees feel any more pride in the company when they are underpaid, overworked, under supported, and underappreciated.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, our leading ethos would be to always pick the BEST option, or make the BEST decision, not the CHEAPEST.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, department managers and directors would determine operational needs, not accountants.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, our most often quoted and IMPLEMENTED Core Value wouldn’t be “Biased for Action”, which is defined as a propensity to act or decide without customary analysis or sufficient information, ‘just do it’ and contemplate later.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, I wouldn’t continually be suffering the consequences of management’s poor decisions year after year.

MAYBE if we were just ‘another f….ing airline’, I wouldn’t go to work every day wondering if I am making a huge mistake staying with this company year after year, hoping things will get better.

Mr. Gallagher would probably ask me why I stay if things are “so bad”. My answer to him would be, “BECAUSE I HELPED BUILD THIS COMPANY!” I’ve literally sweat and bled for this company. This company would have failed long ago were it not for the dedicated employees who have always done their best under not the best of conditions. We know that this company can be more than just a “Cash Machine” for stockholders and investors. This can be an airline that passengers love and employees want to work for.

If that comes along with being just ‘another f….ing airline’, well I think I’m sold.