Squeakygreaser

I've noticed a few of these accounts asking about bases are brand new, use odd or incorrect grammar and when I ask them anything about themselves, they never answer again.

I can't give good advice on whether Allegiant is a good choice if I don't know what I'm comparing it to. Is Alaska an option? then that's probably a better choice, is it Allegiant or go back to your taxi job in Singapore? That's different.

But frankly I'm becoming suspicious that these accounts are not real people asking real questions. I don't know what else they might be, or why someone would make fake accounts and ask about bases, but they seem very averse to telling you anything about their background.

tailendcharlie

Could very well be.
Fact is it now sounds like BLI might be full with no more revolving door at the bottom of the FO list. I think those bottom 3 slots are being filled by recent hires who are local & want to stay. The top half of the FO list are probably not going anywhere unless the base closes The only way for a future hire to get BLI will probably be for one of these recent hires to leave.

HomeEveryNight

This seems like a great time for me to finally make an account and post. Should I work for Allegiant? I live in a base and already work here.

Be Realistic

Could be our new class of E-1 visa pilots. The new norm at allegiant

Squeakygreaser

Sounds like your a great fit for this airline!

skywardbound172

Hey guys, I searched the thread and found some scattered info about ATW, but I still need to find something that answers my questions. I'm an ATW native and grew up here. I worked at AWAC for years, then went to charter in 2018. For the past several years, I have been working for a local 135 here in ATW, but I'm looking for a change. I put my stuff in at Allegiant in the middle of last week and got the video interview invite this morning. I have 5.5kTT 3800 121, the rest 135. 1800 PIC Jet. I have also been a part 119 Chief Pilot and Director of Operations.

Can anyone share with me the total staffing levels in ATW, likelihood of ATW out of training, and examples of a monthly schedule up here? If someone could PM the bid package or the program, that would be awesome. Just trying to get a good idea of what the first 6-12 months would look like from a QOL perspective for someone who lives here.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

tailendcharlie

Really hard to answer these type of questions due to very small size of ATW - 2 to 3 aircraft & 11 to 14 crews. A few folks senior to you making a decision where to bid can have a huge effect on you. As of the last bid there are unfilled FO positions in ATW meaning if no one hired before you bids those slots, and no one in your class senior to you bids them, then you would get that base right out of training.

Now for the Allegiant caveats:

Despite what some may tell you, no new contract is likely for 2-3 more years. Your first year here you’ll make around $4000/mo. High possibility you’ll eventually be required to walk a picket line.

If attrition continues to increase & the company can’t hire enough to maintain staffing - in January we hit that point - hard choices will need to be made & the small bases may have to be closed.
Same if there’s a merger - the small base strategy likely goes away. So if you’re making a life choice here based on there being an ATW base - you are gambling you & your families’ future on a huge roll of the dice.

Having said that, your experience seems at the upper end of what we’ve seen coming through the door lately. If it was me I’d be looking long-term toward finding a way to make an ORD base work for me with UA or AA. But if you insist, you would be most welcome here.

NightHawk

Appleton has efficient flying. Average 6.3 hours credit per day. 91% of the trips are single turns. You can do the math that equates to a lot of time off. There are 3 ATW vacancies in the bid that’s open now. We have a tool on G4 paf that predicts there will actually be 5 ATW vacancies after the bid is run. Any vacancies left over will be available to new hires. It seems like it’s been a revolving door for new hires.

tom11011

If you do not get ATW right away during training, it will probably take about 6 months to get in. I would heed the advice above re the small base strategy and the possibility of it going away. The company has told shareholders they are predicting a 25% turnover rate this year which is a lot, but so far it is looking more like 1/3 ie 33%. We appear to be losing on average 1 pilot per day. First year pay is $57.67 per hour which is lower then all airlines including regionals which will gross you just under $50,000 per year. It will be a tough first year. Our airline is in a bit of trouble right now. Contract negotiations have been difficult and we were just assigned a Federal mediator. First mediated session is set for April. The estimation from our Union is we are still 1-2 years away from a new contract if we can survive what's coming.

skywardbound172

Thank's everyone, I appreciate the feedback. The contract and pay are well noted. The info is all noted. I'm a little torn. Obviously, not everyone gets to grow up in a small town and have the opportunity to have a 121 base show up with large equipment. Driving 12 minutes to work and flying an Airbus in the place I grew up and where my family has roots is pretty attractive. Then again, so are Delta, United, and AA, even with a commute. I don't want to waste anyone's time, and the last thing I want to do is leave in the middle of training, but who knows if the big 3 will call? I don't have a degree which is sort of the reason I ended up taking the meandering career path I did. I have heard from inside and out that Delta has forsaken the degree entirely, but UA and AA are holding firm. We'll see if I can get through the interview, and then I'll have the decision to make. Thanks, everyone for taking the time!