Allegiant Air
07-16-2015, 09:01 PM
#3211
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2010
Posts: 519
Originally Posted by disco inferno
I'm an Allegiant pilot...
About 3 years ago at my former airline (one of the better regionals) I had an early morning flight into IAD. The whole east coast was socked in with horrible weather. We did a Cat 2 right down to mins and barely made it in. Luckily for me scheduling took me off my trip and sent me to the hotel. The hotel was still serving breakfast when I arrived, so I dropped my bags in my room and came back downstairs. As I'm sitting there eating breakfast and another crew from my company are checking out their release on their phones next to me. The captain turns to his FO and says "whoa man, did you see all of these MEL's?" He continues telling his FO that the Autopilot and yaw damper, one pack, the radar altimeter and a few other things were MEL'd too. So asked them "where are you going?" "Houston", they responded. The weather in Houston was about as bad as IAD. They had a takeoff alternate and their alternate for Houston was less than spectacular. I looked at the captain and asked "you aren't really going to accept that plane are you?" He gave me a sheepish look and said "do you think we should refuse it?" My response was something to the effect of "hellll yes!" I couldn't believe they were considering an almost 3 hour flight with bad weather everywhere and multiple MEL's that would compound any problem that may arise.
Pilot pushing is not a new phenomenon in the airline world. I bet every pilot at every airline has a story like mine from either first hand knowledge or from someone they know. This is where good Aeronautical Decision Making and asserting your authority as captain or even FO comes into play. Every airline is guilty of cutting corners when they get caught in a pinch. Delays, short staffing, broken airplanes timed out crews and on and on..... Scheduling and MX are always trying to pull a fast one. They aren't the ones who have to worry about getting killed. It's our professional duty to step in and stop some lunkhead MX department or scheduler from pushing us into doing something we know is unsafe. Man up and do the right thing. If they want to fire you for that, then you probably don't want to work for that place anyway. Better yet, sue them and report them to the FAA and media.
I have no illusions that Allegiant isn't trying to cut corners where they can. I have yet to see a logbook or release that has made me question the safety of the aircraft. Then again, I was hired into the Airbus. Maybe that has something to do with it. I'm no G4 cheerleader. Heck, I have my apps out just like 90% of the guys here. I'm sure as hell not going to risk my life or certificates for Allegiant or anyone else. I will speak up as soon as I feel the need to. Even as a lowly FO, if I'm not happy with something, I'm not going.
About 3 years ago at my former airline (one of the better regionals) I had an early morning flight into IAD. The whole east coast was socked in with horrible weather. We did a Cat 2 right down to mins and barely made it in. Luckily for me scheduling took me off my trip and sent me to the hotel. The hotel was still serving breakfast when I arrived, so I dropped my bags in my room and came back downstairs. As I'm sitting there eating breakfast and another crew from my company are checking out their release on their phones next to me. The captain turns to his FO and says "whoa man, did you see all of these MEL's?" He continues telling his FO that the Autopilot and yaw damper, one pack, the radar altimeter and a few other things were MEL'd too. So asked them "where are you going?" "Houston", they responded. The weather in Houston was about as bad as IAD. They had a takeoff alternate and their alternate for Houston was less than spectacular. I looked at the captain and asked "you aren't really going to accept that plane are you?" He gave me a sheepish look and said "do you think we should refuse it?" My response was something to the effect of "hellll yes!" I couldn't believe they were considering an almost 3 hour flight with bad weather everywhere and multiple MEL's that would compound any problem that may arise.
Pilot pushing is not a new phenomenon in the airline world. I bet every pilot at every airline has a story like mine from either first hand knowledge or from someone they know. This is where good Aeronautical Decision Making and asserting your authority as captain or even FO comes into play. Every airline is guilty of cutting corners when they get caught in a pinch. Delays, short staffing, broken airplanes timed out crews and on and on..... Scheduling and MX are always trying to pull a fast one. They aren't the ones who have to worry about getting killed. It's our professional duty to step in and stop some lunkhead MX department or scheduler from pushing us into doing something we know is unsafe. Man up and do the right thing. If they want to fire you for that, then you probably don't want to work for that place anyway. Better yet, sue them and report them to the FAA and media.
I have no illusions that Allegiant isn't trying to cut corners where they can. I have yet to see a logbook or release that has made me question the safety of the aircraft. Then again, I was hired into the Airbus. Maybe that has something to do with it. I'm no G4 cheerleader. Heck, I have my apps out just like 90% of the guys here. I'm sure as hell not going to risk my life or certificates for Allegiant or anyone else. I will speak up as soon as I feel the need to. Even as a lowly FO, if I'm not happy with something, I'm not going.
07-17-2015, 06:08 AM
#3212
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2014
Position: gear polisher
Posts: 32
Originally Posted by disco inferno
I'm an Allegiant pilot...
I have no illusions that Allegiant isn't trying to cut corners where they can. I have yet to see a logbook or release that has made me question the safety of the aircraft. Then again, I was hired into the Airbus. Maybe that has something to do with it. I'm no G4 cheerleader. Heck, I have my apps out just like 90% of the guys here. I'm sure as hell not going to risk my life or certificates for Allegiant or anyone else. I will speak up as soon as I feel the need to. Even as a lowly FO, if I'm not happy with something, I'm not going.
I have no illusions that Allegiant isn't trying to cut corners where they can. I have yet to see a logbook or release that has made me question the safety of the aircraft. Then again, I was hired into the Airbus. Maybe that has something to do with it. I'm no G4 cheerleader. Heck, I have my apps out just like 90% of the guys here. I'm sure as hell not going to risk my life or certificates for Allegiant or anyone else. I will speak up as soon as I feel the need to. Even as a lowly FO, if I'm not happy with something, I'm not going.
Ahhhhh that explains much! Well I was at AAY 5+ years and flew the 80. As all of the above have said, you can't really write up an engine before it fails. I figured if i'd let you talk a bit you'd dig your own hole.....Ha hired into the Airbus, been at AAY less than a year probably....no wonder you are still in the honeymoon phase. Give it a few more months, jump into the 80 just for fun, go "write up" a few planes, see how that goes...
07-17-2015, 06:11 AM
#3213
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2014
Position: gear polisher
Posts: 32
Originally Posted by G4er
So you have seen both sides (regional and here) but will stay here. But for someone who isn't here, do not come here... Because it is worse...
Actually, to be more accurate, I have seen the regional side, AAY side and now the Legacy side. Oh and again I didn't "stay there" I left when I saw things were going downhill and wish I would have left way earlier hahaha!
07-17-2015, 06:18 AM
#3214
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 74
Sure the classes will be filled. With who? Years ago the old system chief(MD) use to walk around brazenly asking rhetorical questions like, “so boys how is the job market?”. Making light of the fact it was dismal, inferring you better just go along with the program. Carrying mel’s with a smile, disregarding the lack of operational support, etc.. Your atypical dirt bag airline. The current regime up until recently did the same thing, not quite as much vigor as md. Bragging endlessly about all the astronaut/over qualified resumes on his desk.
Present day, a recent class had a lot of ‘no shows’. But yes, eventually they got filled and will probably continue to get filled. What we’re doing is keeping g4’s well earned reputation alive and well, so that our little management trolls will have a more difficult time finding the over qualified. What I’m hearing is, they [you little management turds] are seeing a lot of what they don’t want; people with misdemeanor criminal, e.g. dui’s; lots of training failures. No longer is the desk stacked with 3000 resumes of over qualified pilots.
G4 is not interested in making this place a career airline. Their actions speak for themselves. They are looking for the eagerly desperate who are here just long enough to get fed up and leave.
Present day, a recent class had a lot of ‘no shows’. But yes, eventually they got filled and will probably continue to get filled. What we’re doing is keeping g4’s well earned reputation alive and well, so that our little management trolls will have a more difficult time finding the over qualified. What I’m hearing is, they [you little management turds] are seeing a lot of what they don’t want; people with misdemeanor criminal, e.g. dui’s; lots of training failures. No longer is the desk stacked with 3000 resumes of over qualified pilots.
G4 is not interested in making this place a career airline. Their actions speak for themselves. They are looking for the eagerly desperate who are here just long enough to get fed up and leave.
07-17-2015, 06:30 AM
#3215
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2014
Posts: 390
Originally Posted by disco inferno
I have an interview coming up. I won’t be attending it though. I would like to point out I really wanted to come to Allegiant initially. The more I researched the company, the more going there seems like a terrible idea.
I am a captain at a regional airline currently. I take home about $5,000 a month after taxes insurance, 401k contribution and union dues. If I really bust my tail I can take home around $6,000. I am the sole income earner with a wife and 2 children. I am also not willing or able to fly for food stamp wages. I’m looking for a place I can settle down and spend the rest of my career at.
I live a short drive from a junior base. Not commuting would have been amazing. I knew about the relatively low pay rates, but the real devil is in the details. I did a phone interview a few weeks ago. I was pretty excited when I got called for the interview in Las Vegas. Once the reality of possibly being hired set in I started to really wonder if it would be the right decision. Pay during training is only $2,000 per month. That is well below what I need to pay my monthly bills. From what I have heard, training has been strung out for 4 months or more recently. $2,000 per month for an extended period of time would break me financially. I led to believe during the phone interview that I would credit 100 hours or more every month. After a little research in speaking with some Allegiant guys, this is only partially true. During the busy months you will credit 100 plus hours. The slow months are min guarantee. At $2800 a month pre-tax I am unable to live without going into debt. Even second your pay is much lower than I make now. Factoring in my current annual pay increases, it would take me until about 6th year pay to equal what I make now. Then you add in the TDY’s to other bases where they expect you to drive un-reimbursed, inferior travel benefits (compared to what I currently have) low number of days off and the strong possibility of a upcoming strike, it’s all not worth the jump for me.
I am really disappointed. I really hoped Allegiant would be a good fit for me. I guess it’s better I find out it isn’t now than later when it’s too late. I can’t think of a single major airline that isn’t better in almost every way possible than Allegiant. I really hope you guys are able to fix your pay and work rules soon. It’s going to be depressing to have to drive right past one of your bases on the way to another airport for my 2 ½ commute. If you’re single with no bills or your spouse makes a ton of money, maybe Allegiant will work out for you. For me I just can’t make it work and that makes me sad.
I am a captain at a regional airline currently. I take home about $5,000 a month after taxes insurance, 401k contribution and union dues. If I really bust my tail I can take home around $6,000. I am the sole income earner with a wife and 2 children. I am also not willing or able to fly for food stamp wages. I’m looking for a place I can settle down and spend the rest of my career at.
I live a short drive from a junior base. Not commuting would have been amazing. I knew about the relatively low pay rates, but the real devil is in the details. I did a phone interview a few weeks ago. I was pretty excited when I got called for the interview in Las Vegas. Once the reality of possibly being hired set in I started to really wonder if it would be the right decision. Pay during training is only $2,000 per month. That is well below what I need to pay my monthly bills. From what I have heard, training has been strung out for 4 months or more recently. $2,000 per month for an extended period of time would break me financially. I led to believe during the phone interview that I would credit 100 hours or more every month. After a little research in speaking with some Allegiant guys, this is only partially true. During the busy months you will credit 100 plus hours. The slow months are min guarantee. At $2800 a month pre-tax I am unable to live without going into debt. Even second your pay is much lower than I make now. Factoring in my current annual pay increases, it would take me until about 6th year pay to equal what I make now. Then you add in the TDY’s to other bases where they expect you to drive un-reimbursed, inferior travel benefits (compared to what I currently have) low number of days off and the strong possibility of a upcoming strike, it’s all not worth the jump for me.
I am really disappointed. I really hoped Allegiant would be a good fit for me. I guess it’s better I find out it isn’t now than later when it’s too late. I can’t think of a single major airline that isn’t better in almost every way possible than Allegiant. I really hope you guys are able to fix your pay and work rules soon. It’s going to be depressing to have to drive right past one of your bases on the way to another airport for my 2 ½ commute. If you’re single with no bills or your spouse makes a ton of money, maybe Allegiant will work out for you. For me I just can’t make it work and that makes me sad.
07-17-2015, 06:40 AM
#3216
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 74
Management trolls, who won the door prize?
07-17-2015, 06:46 AM
#3218
Banned
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Position: Da Bus
Posts: 481
Originally Posted by clunkerdrv
Ahhhhh that explains much! Well I was at AAY 5+ years and flew the 80. As all of the above have said, you can't really write up an engine before it fails. I figured if i'd let you talk a bit you'd dig your own hole.....Ha hired into the Airbus, been at AAY less than a year probably....no wonder you are still in the honeymoon phase. Give it a few more months, jump into the 80 just for fun, go "write up" a few planes, see how that goes...
This ain't my first rodeo pal. I spent more time eating the RJ turd sandwich than you did by several years. I didn't fall off the turnip truck and land at Allegiant. I was never really in the honeymoon phase. I like everyone here, never started out wanting to be at anything less than a legacy. I came to Allegiant to get away from the regional slums. I have no intention of retiring here. I came as an act of career progression. I'll either end up at a legacy or as an overseas contractor. I have little faith in G4 management coming to their senses and giving us a good contract. If they want to become a free type rating company, that is their business. Keeping myself out of trouble is mine. I'm already qualified for a dozen more companies overseas that I wasn't able to get a call at prior to coming here. I looked at Allegiant as an investment in myself. If they happened to get a great contract, then so be it. I always had one foot out the door. For me, this is all business as it should be. I am appreciative for all of the opportunities I have been given from every employer I have ever had. Some jobs were good, and some were bad. I learned something from each one and moved on.
Consequently, you won't see me over on the regional forum, badmouthing my former company. You sure as hell won't find any posts about me signing for and operating an aircraft that I felt would put "my certificates" on the line. Your overly dramatic pontifications only serve to make you look stupid and reckless.
07-17-2015, 06:51 AM
#3219
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2014
Position: gear polisher
Posts: 32
Originally Posted by disco inferno
So sharing my personal experience is "digging a hole" eh? If anyone dug a hole it's you. You basically acknowledged on a public forum that you willfully flew aircraft you felt were unsafe. Why don't you just share your name with all of us too, just to make the FAA's job easier.
This ain't my first rodeo pal. I spent more time eating the RJ turd sandwich than you did by several years. I didn't fall off the turnip truck and land at Allegiant. I was never really in the honeymoon phase. I like everyone here, never started out wanting to be at anything less than a legacy. I came to Allegiant to get away from the regional slums. I have no intention of retiring here. I came as an act of career progression. I'll either end up at a legacy or as an overseas contractor. I have little faith in G4 management coming to their senses and giving us a good contract. If they want to become a free type rating company, that is their business. Keeping myself out of trouble is mine. I'm already qualified for a dozen more companies overseas that I wasn't able to get a call at prior to coming here. I looked at Allegiant as an investment in myself. If they happened to get a great contract, then so be it. I always had one foot out the door. For me, this is all business as it should be. I am appreciative for all of the opportunities I have been given from every employer I have ever had. Some jobs were good, and some were bad. I learned something from each one and moved on.
Consequently, you won't see me over on the regional forum, badmouthing my former company. You sure as hell won't find any posts about me signing for and operating an aircraft that I felt would put "my certificates" on the line. Your overly dramatic pontifications only serve to make you look stupid and reckless.
This ain't my first rodeo pal. I spent more time eating the RJ turd sandwich than you did by several years. I didn't fall off the turnip truck and land at Allegiant. I was never really in the honeymoon phase. I like everyone here, never started out wanting to be at anything less than a legacy. I came to Allegiant to get away from the regional slums. I have no intention of retiring here. I came as an act of career progression. I'll either end up at a legacy or as an overseas contractor. I have little faith in G4 management coming to their senses and giving us a good contract. If they want to become a free type rating company, that is their business. Keeping myself out of trouble is mine. I'm already qualified for a dozen more companies overseas that I wasn't able to get a call at prior to coming here. I looked at Allegiant as an investment in myself. If they happened to get a great contract, then so be it. I always had one foot out the door. For me, this is all business as it should be. I am appreciative for all of the opportunities I have been given from every employer I have ever had. Some jobs were good, and some were bad. I learned something from each one and moved on.
Consequently, you won't see me over on the regional forum, badmouthing my former company. You sure as hell won't find any posts about me signing for and operating an aircraft that I felt would put "my certificates" on the line. Your overly dramatic pontifications only serve to make you look stupid and reckless.
07-17-2015, 06:53 AM
#3220
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2014
Posts: 390
Originally Posted by disco inferno
I know of a certain Mr. Inferno that said thanks, but no thanks. I guess he didn't like the idea of having to borrow money to be able to afford his new "job". He said something about $34,000 a year to fly an MD-80 just seemed wrong.
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