Allegiant Air?
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,383
Jack, what is it in particular that scares you about flying? Acft are built like tanks. Especially the MD-80. During testing, aircraft are tested to way beyond stuctural failure, and then they add about 10 %. This is why it's so safe. They take the wing, and bend it and finally after several FEET the wing finally gives. In NORMAL operations, In some of the worst turbulence, the wing will only move a few INCHES.
#22
Hello everyone,
This is my first post. I was referred to this site from a Pilot @ Tri-Cities airport.
I have a flight scheduled on Allegiant on the 12th of this month from Tri-FLL. I have flown 3 times in my life and to be very honest, flying scares the crap out of me.
I went to a fear of flying resource (Captn. Tom Bunn) with SOAR and asked for advice. His words were "I would not fly on Allegiant, nor allow my children to fly on them". Obviously this has made my fear even worse.
Captn. Tom claims to have email records of shoddy maintenance work sent to him from a former Allegiant pilot who he claims was fired for refusing to fly an "unsafe" plane.
So, before I put my life, and the life of my new bride on the line, does anyone have any tips for me? Especially any Allegiant pilots out there?
In the back of my mind I'm wondering if what he said is true?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Best regards,
Jack
This is my first post. I was referred to this site from a Pilot @ Tri-Cities airport.
I have a flight scheduled on Allegiant on the 12th of this month from Tri-FLL. I have flown 3 times in my life and to be very honest, flying scares the crap out of me.
I went to a fear of flying resource (Captn. Tom Bunn) with SOAR and asked for advice. His words were "I would not fly on Allegiant, nor allow my children to fly on them". Obviously this has made my fear even worse.
Captn. Tom claims to have email records of shoddy maintenance work sent to him from a former Allegiant pilot who he claims was fired for refusing to fly an "unsafe" plane.
So, before I put my life, and the life of my new bride on the line, does anyone have any tips for me? Especially any Allegiant pilots out there?
In the back of my mind I'm wondering if what he said is true?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Best regards,
Jack
Enjoy your flight and RELAX!!!! Thousands of people fly everyday, and the good folks up in the front are some of the best, well trained pilots in the world.
#23
HOSED BY PBS AGAIN
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,713
Sounds to me like this CA Tom Bunn could be setting himself up for a nice lawsuit....... If he's out teaching a class and badmouthing other airlines (especially if he works for a competitor) that isn't classy at all. Talking amongst each other is one thing, but degrading the competition is another. I'm sure EVERY airline has its "bad stories", but if they were shoddy, they wouldn't be flying. Even though the FAA is lax on some things, MX practices that could jeopardize a life is another. I'm sure Allegiant is just fine. Heck, in 31 years of flying (military/US govt/airline/private) I've only shut down one engine and that was expected since we were ferrying the plane due to "engine problems" that we were aware of. 16,000 + hours of "boring" flying. Come to FLL and have a great time. Hollywood Beach is great!! I know because I live here!! Get one of the best burgers in America (according to GQ magazine and Oprah) at LeTub (expect a minimum of 45 minutes to get it....but well worth it!) and some of the best icecream around at Jaxson's.................. Have fun!!!!
BTW....if you get a few minutes, go up and say hello to the flight crew. We enjoy having folks come up and say hello so we can alleviate any fears they may have! Flying is wonderful joy of life........so enjoy it!!
BTW....if you get a few minutes, go up and say hello to the flight crew. We enjoy having folks come up and say hello so we can alleviate any fears they may have! Flying is wonderful joy of life........so enjoy it!!
Last edited by ewrbasedpilot; 04-07-2008 at 10:52 AM.
#24
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
MD-80 Series?
Jack2007,
Unfortunately, you have been completely misinformed. I am a pilot for Allegiant Air. We fly MD-80s. Southwest Airlines flies Boeing 737s. The two are airplanes completely different.
Allegiant has an excellent safety record and I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary with maintenance, and certainly not anything illegal. If something does need maintenance, it is promptly written up by the pilots and fixed by our mechanics. It sounds like your contact gave you some very bad information.
Considering all the MD-80 inspections that caused flight cancellations by American and Delta Airlines, and the fact that all of our airplanes already had the inspections completed, I feel safe flying on Allegiant and so should you.
Unfortunately, you have been completely misinformed. I am a pilot for Allegiant Air. We fly MD-80s. Southwest Airlines flies Boeing 737s. The two are airplanes completely different.
Allegiant has an excellent safety record and I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary with maintenance, and certainly not anything illegal. If something does need maintenance, it is promptly written up by the pilots and fixed by our mechanics. It sounds like your contact gave you some very bad information.
Considering all the MD-80 inspections that caused flight cancellations by American and Delta Airlines, and the fact that all of our airplanes already had the inspections completed, I feel safe flying on Allegiant and so should you.
#25
Just by reading the post that you were quoting, I think they did not have to ground the fleet, because they had the inspections completed at a normal interval. So, short answer, no because it was done on-time.
#26
Nope, they weren't grounded. All of our planes had already received the required inspection prior to the groundings by the other airlines. I think the American Airlines groundings this week were because the FAA decided they wanted the wiring to be done slightly different than what they did last week. It doesn't mean there ever would have been a problem with them, they are just taking additional measures to ensure that there's no chance of a problem developing.
#27
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
Thanks!
Nope, they weren't grounded. All of our planes had already received the required inspection prior to the groundings by the other airlines. I think the American Airlines groundings this week were because the FAA decided they wanted the wiring to be done slightly different than what they did last week. It doesn't mean there ever would have been a problem with them, they are just taking additional measures to ensure that there's no chance of a problem developing.
I really appreciate everyone for taking time to answer my questions. It's really helped ease my mind about the flight. Can't say that I am 100% calm, but I am much closer to there than I was before you guys helped out!
With my flight being only 1 hour and forty minutes we won't even be at cruise too long before it will be time to descend to Ft. Lauderdale & then it's off to a cruise to St. Thomas and St. Maartan. I imagine once I get on the ship I'll recall how safe I was on the MD-80!
#28
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