9easy

Realistically, with the four majors about to hire 150+ per month, there will be a lot of Allegiant pilots leaving to the majors. This could be accelerated when the company likely tries to stall negotiations, while already having the worst contract. Add on top of that, Allegiant hiring 200 in the next 9 months... you'll probably be able to hold whatever base you want shortly after training.

FlightMonster

SouthWest offering daily BLI to LAS starting this November starting at $39...

​​​​​​https://www.bellinghamherald.com/new...252024673.html

CRJdriver2017

Do Allegiant pilots typically leave for majors? I figured most people at Allegiant were there to be home at night and base where they want.

SladeTin

Most of the turnover is with junior FO’s. Sure, you’ll have the occasional person leave with decent seniority, but they are exceptions, not the norm.

Machaca

If you are younger than 40 and aren't already well established here at a base with a reasonable QOL, you are leaving a ridiculous amount of money on the table by not leaving.

310skying

Will you though? If you got hired in the last 5 years and are still under 40, you’ll spend the last 5-10 years of your career 10% in base at an airline that has some of the best senior QOL and decent earning potential… if you leave for a legacy you’ll be mid pack narrow body captain, or seniority WB FO for the end of your career.

You can easily push high 300k as a senior in base captain at G4 with our ****ty contract. If you are under 40 you still have at least 4 contracts left in your career too. I’d rather be at the airline with the most consistent financial record for those negotiations.

Finally if all you care about is money, it’s easier to chase at G4 than a legacy. Just move to a sh**y small base and artificially increase your seniority and earning potential. Way easier than commuting to a mid seniority schedule at a legacy IMO. Plus 3 new bases a year, there has to be at least one good one in there.

CAirBear

I’ve worked at both G4 and now NK. It is night and day. Retirement alone our 14% (15% next year) Direct Contribution from the company is massive especially if you are under 40

Outside of first year, most everyone is making $100k at both shops 2nd year and beyond.

So 2nd year guy at NK is getting $14-15k FREE money (no personal contribution required) + their own $19.5. That is roughly $33,000 in a 401K per year.

When you upgrade, Captains are putting a combined $50K+ it’s not hard to hit the IRS cap of $56K.

Im sorry, but there is absolutely no comparing a DC vs a “match”.

Also there is tons of soft time here. I block 55-65 and credit 85-90 very easily. When I was there I had to fly every single hour if I wanted a big month. The only soft time was picking up a RAP and hoping you didn’t get called out. That almost never happened (at least for me).

If your super super super senior, I’m sure Allegiant is the best and easiest gig, but for most everyone else, it definitely isn’t. And this is someone who commutes to NK from
an Allegiant base. I have zero regrets. Everyone has to go and find their own thing that works for them. It is what it is.
I still catch rides a lot on you guys. Hope
MG retires and you can be treated as professionals.

hoover

A while back the #2 guy at allegiant went to SW right before the last contract got done. Lives in the same base for both companies. I wonder what he thinks of his choice?

310skying

It depends on how you look at soft time, and what base you are in. Outside of FL, LAS, and IWA, picking up raps during SAP is like finding free money on the ground. I consistently block 65 and make 90-100 as a junior line holder. Like you said everyone has what works best for them, and my theory is if you are willing to move (not commute) to junior bases it’s easier to chase money and QOL (read time at home) at G4 than anywhere if you are under 40 and hired in the last 5-10 years at G4.

I see your point about spirit and the DC, but my whole shtick that i’m going for is that contracts change, we will see a new contract in the next five years. I’m betting it will be at least NK/F9 or better. We will hopefully spend the next 2 decades leapfrogging each other. My theory is why give up 5-10 years of top seniority and earning potential to put yourself in the middle at a legacy.

Contrary to what was being said, I see it as more profitable to move on from G4 if you are over 40-45 and in the bottom half of the seniority list. This accounts for most people that I know that have moved on from G4 in the last 5 years, and I think it was the absolute right choice, 15-20% DC being one of the main reasons.

Also, it required a contribution, but I don’t know a single captain at G4 that doesn’t max out fed 401k limits if they are a line holder

Flightaware

he tried to come back as a new hire, MG wouldn’t allow it