navy1998

Hey all, current regional, former miltary guy here. Just dropped my app but wanted to see if being a commuter is even a possibility. I live in FL (Tampa area) so ultimately want PIE, but PGD and SFB are also manageable for the interim. If I miraculously get hired or even an interview, I know chances of me getting one of those is slim so just want to go in with the right mindset. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

ecam

This is not a commuting airline. We fly almost completely day trips on an am/pm pattern. That means either very early departures or very late arrivals. Expect to work 3-5 days per week with 3 blocks of 2 days off 2 blocks of 3 days off or 1 block of 6 days off per month. Isolated days off are common. You will need an apartment or room to rent wherever you are based. Most crash pads don't want us living there all the time and many of our bases are in places where there are no other airlines so crash pads are hard to come by anyhow. We have some true commuters but I think most of them view this airline as temporary. Some of them are stuck in a base they didn't want at the end of the last hiring wave. If you try to commute long term you probably won't be happy here. If you decide this airline is for you after working here for a few months pick a base and move there.

akulahunter

It is not a commuter friendly airline. On the bright side... You probably won't have an issue getting to PIE, SRQ, PGD or SFB in training or soon after. Just be prepared to spend a month or two in some place you don't want to be, just in case...

HeliHooker

How close would one need to live to their base to make Allegiant a viable option? I’m currently living just north of Jax and would have a 1.5 hour drive to SAV.

ecam

Ask yourself if you're prepared to drive 1.5 hours, fly a 12 hour duty day, then drive 1.5 home 3-5 days a week. Theres your answer. Reserve is 90 minutes to the parking lot and scheduling is no-show happy.

skydisaster

Yep. A 90 minute drive basically requires a crash pad. Think of it like an easy commute and it will frame it correctly. A 90 minute drive on reserve is not workable and like ecam side as a line holder, it would make for long miserable days.


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HeliHooker

Thanks for the replies! Sounds like it prolly would not work very well.

Clearedforils

Helihooker, it's not that bad as some here make it out to be. It's 90 minutes to the parking lot, report times are 60 minutes before scheduled departure, the crews are fairly understanding. Most of the trips on reserve are usually assigned several hours before and are usually a result of a sick call the night before unless the assignment is to cover a last minute repo or another base, like SFB in this case for a Larry's Limo ride but they are few & far between.

G4 pilots are usually very considerate, especially at small bases (1-3 aircraft, total of 10-14 crews) like SAV..where everyone knows eachother and provide eachother a heads up if they are terribly sick and have just called in.

Worse case scenario, RAP's can be conducted with at least the uniform pants on(my ill-attempt for pilot humour) & the ipad charged and ready to go in the car, until a composite or a pure flying line is obtained. There are numerous ways to make it work.

As at every place there are "perpetual negative energy-nay-sayers" here as well, but as I have said before, they represent a very small minority and unfortunately are a little too active on-line. Apply, interview, see it for yourself & then make a decision. This is still one of the best flying jobs around, especially if you are within driving distance to one of the G4 bases.

labbats

Got to disagree on this. Overall the post above is correct but it only takes one call a year for that 90 minute unforeseen callout to put you in serious hot water.

I’ve gotten a call that I have 90 minutes and the plane is waiting to fly me out of base for four days to sit reserve somewhere else. Granted it only happened once after being here for years but it can happen.

I would not suggest living more than an hour away.

ecam

I may be a grumpy old bastard online but telling newhires on probation to bend the rules is going them a disservice. I speak the truth and you know it.