LoFly

Yep, bottom third of the seniority list life is really different. Stuck with a reserve line with tue, wed and sat off. You'll be making min guarantee every month, zero chance of picking up extra stuff. Because on those days we barely fly, system wise. If you're lucky you'll be able to drop a reserve and get something, the same day, that pays more than 3.75. So at least you cash in an hour or two of extra credit.
By the way, if you're reserve, all the line holders get to shuffle their schedules, pick up extra reserve days and trips from open time and drop stuff before you can even take a look at your schedule. Yep, you aren't eligible for any of that.
Oh, and the whole "get 130% pay if you're above 81hrs" thing? Nope. Only IF you're composite or line holder AND you pick up from somebody who was originally awarded a line above 81 hours, then you get that. You're reserve? Oopsy, sorry. Regular pay for you. You're somebody who has to bid morning reserve cause of family stuff? Sorry, we can change it to afternoon any time we don't have people to cover.

Apologies for the rant, but the gap between bottom third and the rest of the pilot group here is just something.

Alexander12

This is an absolutely fair assessment of our reserve life here at G4. Since we have so many micro bases being on reserve here could only last a few months or you could look at 5 years depending on base of choice.

TiggaTee

What bases are quickest for upgrades/shortest time on reserve for a new hire?

KIGECA97531

From the most recent bid, most junior CA in the company is an August 2016 hire in ABE. ABE will probably stay junior for a long time. The Florida and West Coast bases will get more senior to the point that upgrades or becoming a line holder will happen at the retirement rate. The middle of the country micro bases will continue to multiply and will be junior with the bottom half being a revolving door.

KIGECA97531

For prospective pilots reading this: At this airline, more than most, seniority is everything. I always laugh at the guys who list every single base on their bid sheet, take first upgrade, then whine about being on reserve forever. But he's not exaggerating, reserve sucks here and has practically no rules. The few rules we have are ignored or worked around by crew service.

At this company, unless you were hired before 2010, you can have money or QOL. You can't have both. Allegiant is a very unique airline, make sure you understand the pitfalls before you come here.

9easy

Not making excuses for the lack of reserve rules, but it is not bad at all depending what base you're in. If you're in Florida, it sucks big time. Most of the other bases, you often will only fly a few times per month, if any. Even in Vegas, it's not uncommon to go a week or two without flying. It's also fairly easy to get released early in the small bases and you can sometimes bid rsv for days that don't even have any flying.

LoFly

I'm right seat. I will never ever see the upgrade unless I change base.

akulahunter

BLI? Or are you 55?

LoFly

no to both
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He's exactly right. Have you seen our retirement numbers? They're a joke, we are a very young pilot group. Which I love, but it sucks seniority wise.

astaz

In theory, if we maintain 10% growth for another 10 years, the lack of retirements should be made up by growth. However, if we open 15 more small bases in that time, your standing bid might be quite long.