Airline Pilot Central Forums - Want to join Allegiant? Here are the facts

Howdy everyone,

Many come and go in these forums, ask questions, have desires to come here; some have doubts. So I figured I would cover some of the basic facts of what it meant for me to come to Allegiant a few years back, what my PROFESSIONAL opinion is, what is like, some recommendations, and give you the no BS assessment of Allegiant in general. This will be a bit long, I'll try to keep it short, so just bare with me.

Before I came to Allegiant I was a corporate pilot with prior airline background flying overseas. I spent almost two years in the sandbox flying; I was well payed and enjoyed it. But after being laid off, I found my self coming back to the states wanting to join the ranks of the Airlines. With a fairly "heavy" resume, I interviewed with Allegiant (pre-contract) mostly out of curiosity to see what they had to offer, and where they were going. I knew enough about Allegiant to say that they did day trips, flew older airplanes, they were growing, they were on the verge of getting a contract with the teamsters and they had a "reputation" in the industry.

After joining I was an MD80 FO in Las Vegas, I was broke, my marriage was on the brink of collapse, and frankly I joined Allegiant because it was the first (Major Airline) to give me a job. They gave me a shot, and as I told the interviewer, I was willing to give them a shot. For the first month in a half at Allegiant as a first officer, I was broke, the schedule was pretty much non commutable and on multiple instances I found my self having to sleep in my car because I didn't have the resources for a crash pad; much less a hotel. Yeah, that's how broke I was.

I was fortunate enough to be awarded VBD on the MD80, which meant I would get a hotel, 24/7 perdiem, and sometimes a rental car. Financially speaking, a burden was lifter because of the perdiem, and not having to house my self. After many years of being on the road and commuting, I was burned out. See, you have to understand, that due to our business model, crew bases and schedules, commuting as a junior pilot was incredibly difficult, and frustrating.

After about 7 months of being on VBD, and while trying to restore (save) my marriage, my wife agreed to home school our 3 kids, and "move" with me where ever I went. As a VBD pilot you will TDY to different bases every month, or every other month. Some hotels were great (large room, kitchen, etc), but some weren't ideal for a month stay. Regardless we made it work. My wife and children enjoyed the fact that I was "home" every day! I would either leave early and be home by noon or afternoon, or would leave in the afternoon and be home for dinner; or at least to tuck them in. This went on for almost a year and a half. The more senior I became, the better schedules I could bid, the more days off I had, and the more we got to see how great this job was in the sense that, I would go play pilot, and be home that same day.

In 2018 with the retirement of the MD80s I was able to bid the Airbus, move to the base I bid, and finally, after so many years establish a home once again with my family. I have been in the Airbus for almost two years as a first officer, and was recently awarded captain in one of the new bases. I'll be junior again, and once again I will have to commute for a short period of time to allow the dust to settle, and hopefully bid a base that works for my family and I.

So what is the moral of the story?

Allegiant is a very successful Airline, that although it operates differently in some ways, it gave me to opportunity to get back on my feet in the States, and although they can't take ALL the credit, it had a MASSIVE influence in restoring my marriage, and strengthening my family life unlike any other job I have had before.

Does Allegiant have issues? Absolutely. Management is very effective and good at making money, and growing the airline very strategically. Are their methods unpopular, or even "inadequate" at times when it comes to pilot treatment? You betcha! But like many have said, a bad day here, is still better than most regionals. But I also believe that as time goes by, things will get better, and management is aware of necessary changes in order to avoid/lower attrition.

First year pay is tough, plain and simple. But if you can gut it out, and make it work, once you have seniority to bid something better and get that second year pay, you see a huge difference. If your plan is to commute temporarily, then come! join our ranks, and make the best of it. But if your goal is to commute for the rest of your career bc you refuse to move, then it'll be tough.

If you live in base, the QOL is unbeatable and unmatched by any airline IMHO. You're home every day, the money isn't bad, the medical benefits are good. The next contract ABSOLUTELY needs less gray area, and clearer language; not to mention better work rules for TDY, VBD, and JUNIOR PILOTS.

If you're coming here for the quick upgrade, then just know, that a "quick" upgrade means being flexible to moving to another base again or commuting. I will be commuting once again, but have the flexibility that my kids are still home schooled. So if it gets a bit hectic or tiresome to commute, my wife and kids can always come to me. Now I understand, many of you don't home school or have a wife that's willing to live in a hotel with two beds for 3 months. All I am saying is, if there's a way you can make it work, then have at it.

Our flying schedules are pretty good, our reserve rules could be much much better, and being in the larger bases means you'll most likely work more. But for me, the QOL I've had on reserve has been phenomenal for the past year and a half. I have been able to be with my wife more, help with the kids, and strengthen that bond that we all have claimed at one point we wish we had with our loved ones.

I recently wrote a research paper discussing how LCCs and ULCCs are the future of Air Travel. I believe that WHEN the next economic downturn happens, Allegiant will not only survive, but thrive.

My goal with this post isn't to convince more to come, but to basically say...

If your goal is to come here, and then move on to "bigger and better things" have at it! Many friends of mine have moved on. But if your goal is to be home every night, and make good money, then, Allegiant is the place for you.

When I came to Allegiant, I didn't know what to expect. I had other offers, and turned them down because I saw the potential this place has, and how well it served me and my family. Could I apply elsewhere, and fly something bigger, and make more money? Absolutely! Why haven't I? Because I have been spoiled with what Allegiant has given me, and the thought of being on the road for days for the next 30 years of my career isn't appetizing to me. Does that mean I will never leave Allegiant? Who knows? because who knows what will happen in the future. But do I plan on leaving Allegiant? No. My hope is to one day retire from here, so I'm going to be as optimistic as I can, for as long as I can.

Many that know who I am in this forum know how critical I have been about many actions the company has taken, and even CBA language. Nonetheless, I still believe in this place, I still think its a great job, and still believe this Airline has a bright future ahead.

Feel free to contact me privately if you have any further questions or need clarification.