In the ongoing saga of Allegiant’s union negotiations, the current union leadership team seems to lack both negotiation experience and awareness, particularly regarding the pressing reality that time remains an unfavorable ally for pilots. Yet, the broader pilot community also holds some responsibility, as they continue to harbour ambitions of parity in pay and treatment akin to their counterparts at major airlines—an aspiration that remains elusive.

Allegiant stands poised for swift expansion without needing a new contract, as evidenced by a large pool of potential hires and enough upgraders willing to change base. The likelihood is that the eventual pay package will mirror existing salaries (plus retention bonus). Given the current low turnover rates within the pilot group, the adage 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' should tell us that it’s the pilot group and not the management, that suffers most in further delays in contract negotiations

Unless the union changes gears, it’s safe to assume that a new contract might not materialise until 2027. By then, we can expect that accrued retention bonuses will be disbursed over a period of 12 to 18 months, forming a portion of the agreement.