9easy

People would fly the Spruce Goose on a transcon if it was $20 cheaper than other flights. Most G4 customers have few options, and taking their chances (with delays) on G4 is probably just as good or better than connecting in Chicago or Dallas.

smoothatFL410

I agree. Especially when you look at the market and see that even Southwest is now charging high-dollar Delta airlines expensive rates for fares and have changed their target market from the low-cost flyers like Allegiant's customers to frequent business travelers willing to pay for an "A" seat even though they are still only single-class, don't hub & spoke, and only offer a half a coke and peanuts. And I have personally been "inconvenienced" more than a handful of times with cancelled Southwest flights and dozens of serious delays. And if it happens and you aren't in a place like LAS or LUV, it is just as inconveniencing. G4 isn't the only airline that cancels flights due to Mx. And all it takes is for one of the big 2 to start charging for carry-ons which has been rumored as being discussed, and everyone will be doing it.

Allegiant works for many people who get to travel who otherwise wouldn't. And the G4 option will only become even more attractive if everyone starts charging for carry-ons.

rokgpsman

I've spent as much time or more waiting at airports as anyone here. The difference is that when Southwest, American or Delta cancels a flight they will try and often succeed in putting you on another flight that same day, or on a flight with a different carrier. Allegiant tells you to come back tomorrow (or their next flight day later in the week in some cases) and try again. There is no comparison in how Allegiant deals with canceled flights and how major carriers deal with it.

rokgpsman

That's my point - plenty of customers try Allegiant because of the low fares. But if their trip gets wrecked many don't risk it again despite the lower fare. They will drive to another airport and fly with someone else. Would you rent a car from an agency if you kept getting rental cars from them that wouldn't start, wouldn't get you where you were going? Even if the rental car is half the normal price why take a chance on it?

smoothatFL410

Hmmm. Then apparently you have never been stranded at an out-station by a broken Southwest bird. I just explained the comparison, and disagree.

Having said that, they are different business models. Allegiant is a leisure vacation airline. Not a "must absolutely get there" airline. That would be FedEx. :-)

grnclvrs

The comparison you explained shows that allegiant does exactly as the rest of the airlines do. They try to get you on their next available flight. By your comparison, allegiant even does better because they will put on an extra section to move the passengers. You don't see it as the same because the rest of the airlines have multiple flights daily while allegiant does not. It's not our business model to do that, as you also mentioned.

Badwxdude

I was going to post exactly this yesterday after taking a read....the one where they ask "where would you like to jet off to....". LOL, entertaining read and predictably no responses from the company.

rokgpsman

So you would say that Allegiant is just as reliable and as likely to get you to your destination on time as Southwest (or Delta or American)? I don't think that is true and some would say it is a laughable statement. Allegiant does not have as many flights per day/week/month as Southwest so you can't count absolute cancellation numbers and be fair about it. Percentage-wise (number of delayed & canceled flights out of total flights per day) you are much more likely to get stranded or have a several hour delay with Allegiant. Take an informal poll among Allegiant pilots, see how often they have seriously delayed departures and flights that are not flown at all. If you want to give reasonable explanations for the delayed flights and cancellations due to a balance of cost-cutting, the leisure market, whatever then that is fine. But saying that Allegiaint is no different from Southwest in terms of reliability and getting the passenger to their destination on time you lose credibility.

smoothatFL410

I'm looking at the daily reports and seeing high 90's. 98%, 99%.... I've worked for other carriers. I KNOW those numbers are compatible, and blow away many of the regionals flying for the majors, which obviously affects the majors' numbers as well.

I think you are just determined to say, no matter what, that Allegiant sucks. Noted. Why you work for an airline you hate is your business. I don't really care. But you aren't showing any facts to your argument, just arguing for arguing sake and throwing out baseless statements. I don't have time to do that and won't. Believe what you want. All I can see is the growth and money in the bank, so things can't be all that bad and I'm glad to be here. I am also hopeful and optimistic that our eventual TA will be worth something to vote yes on, and things will be even better, around here. In fact I'm counting on that. And if it doesn't happen, well, like many I will punch out. But if I felt the way you did, I wouldn't be here I would have walked.

JustWatching

To be fair, D0 was in the 40% range, and frankly, that number much higher is not realistic. Summertime with 40 minute turns.... D0 is just a metric for the DOT. I doubt you'll find any carrier with a good D0.

96% completion equated to 13 cancelled flights. Ever watch that show years ago that featured SWA? I remember watching it and seeing people unable to get out of wherever and being rebooked 2 or 3 days later due to full flights. Read the paper much? Always stories about people being stranded by AA or UAL. At least we run cancelled flights the next day....