Hovernut

I got the TBNT email after I was hired....no telling WHAT in the world is going on here!! Several of us are beside ourselves when we recommend quality, experienced candidates, only to have them shut out after the silly phone interview! This included both AB & 80-Typed individuals! It's a crap-shoot!!

rokgpsman

Email sent out by the Allegiant Flight Attendants union, mentions the ongoing pilot struggles also.



Dear Member,

In our continuing effort to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information concerning our Union, we are excited to report on the following updates:

Last Friday, October 9, the National Mediation Board (NMB) made requests for more information concerning the efforts to decertify our Union and eliminate our only chance for a professional, independent voice in our workplace. The NMB requested the names of all Allegiant Air Flight Attendants who completed training between July 1, 2015 and July 15, 2015. The NMB also requested information from Steve Stoecker (Allegiant Air Flight Attendant and the alleged leader of the decertification drive) regarding his relationship to “Allegiant 4 Me,” “Center for Independent Employees” (CIE), and RWP Labor. The NMB also requested specific information regarding the financing of these entities and Mr. Stoecker's campaign. All of these questions had previously been asked by our Union several times, and we received no answers. The requested responses are due to the NMB by Monday, October 19 at 10:00AM, EDT.

During the efforts to decertify our Union, there were several reports of Management interference (which is highly improper), however some people were hesitant to go on record because they feared retaliation. If you would now like to come forward, please email your statement to [email protected], and it will be submitted to the NMB.

From the other side of the cockpit door, after repeated (and failed) efforts to continue negotiations with Allegiant Air Management, under the supervision of the NMB, our Pilots, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), refiled their proffer for release. It is unfortunate that, despite their best efforts, our Pilots have made little to no progress since their near-strike last spring. Once the threat of a strike was avoided, Management went back to their familiar tactics of stalling and avoiding the real issues. It is unfortunate that the Pilots have to resort to asking for this release again, but Management has demonstrated that they will only respond to employee concerns when their hand is forced. Our Pilots have been completely supportive of us throughout this process, so please continue to support them.

There have been several Flight Attendants called in for disciplinary or debrief meetings recently. Please remember that without a Shop Steward in your meeting, it is your word against Management's. If you are called in for any reason, please contact your Base Representative or NT Member, as soon as possible. You may also reach out to us at [email protected]. Your request is completely confidential, and you do have the right to Union representation in your meeting with no retaliation.

Finally, we are pleased to report that in response to a request from our Union, the National Mediation Board has scheduled a Mediation Session with Allegiant Air Management on November 3-5. The location has not yet been determined, but our Team is excited to be going back to the table to try to reach a fair Contract for our Members. It's the only way to ensure that we have a safe workplace, fair work rules and compensation, and accountability from our Company.

Please pass this message on to every Allegiant Flight Attendant you know and encourage them to sign up for updates at Transport Workers Union Local 577 > Home. We are continuing to fight hard for you, so thank you for standing behind us!

In Unity,
Your Local 577 Negotiating Team

vol0816

I'm currently in the process of securing and interview with Allegiant. I was hoping to hear from some current pilots as to why I should or should not come to Allegiant. I have a job at a Regional where, aside from the pay, is actually pretty good. I also just read that the union has asked to walk away from mediation which could pave the way for a pilot's strike. Should I continue forward in my quest for an interview and possible position, or is Allegiant one of those companies where the paycheck just may not be worth it? I don't know any Allegiant pilots and was honestly hoping for candid experiences that pilots may have had, good or bad, that would help me decide to leave a relatively good, but low paying, job for Allegiant. Thanks!

vol0816

I do apologize but I am very new to this whole message board experience. I saw the Allegiant thread and figured it a good place to ask a question. I'll do a little more digging. I was hoping to get a few personal experiences to help me to understand the atmosphere at Allegiant.

HVYMETALDRVR

The pay here at G4 is better than a regional, you fly bigger airplanes, and living in Florida and working here might be better than commuting to NYC, DTW, or wherever.

If your used to getting a lot of time off, a good relationship with management, work rules, a lot of vacation time or just a good QOL in general? Don't come here, this is NOT your QOL airline. The upgrade is not nearly as fast now either, probably 1.5-2 year for someone walking on the property now. As a junior new hire there is a 90% chance you will have 10 days off on reserve in FL. You may get OAK or IWA if you get the AB. You will probably be TDY at least one or two months when your junior against your will. The company will not tell you what slots are available for what aircraft in ground school. You show up and bid per seniority/age in class, probably during the 1 week. It is highly unlikely you will get the 757 but if so HNL is more junior. If you try to commute while working here you will never see your house.

Contract? the million dollar question but I wouldn't expect anything in less than a year or 18 months...

Hope that covers most of it.

rokgpsman

I've read nearly all of the 2 main Allegiant threads here on APC, and while no one can speak for everyone else I can say that many Allegiant pilots say they are unhappy with the current work environment regards to the lower pay, benefits and retirement compared to other airlines, even the discount airlines. Many pilots have left when the opportunity came about, and others would also leave if offered the chance. Management is more anti-pilot than you'll typically find at an airline. The pilots that have stayed are hoping things change in the next year or so. But management uses every legal trick available to thwart getting a satisfactory agreement with the pilot's union.

Many suspect that management does not view a pilot as a long term employee, they are willing to employ an underpaid pilot for as long as he will stay, then when he leaves for a better job they simply hire another underpaid pilot to replace him. This is their strategy to keep operating costs low, same as buying older used aircraft on the cheap. To them a pilot is just another required expense that is to be minimized as much as possible, similar to buying tires for the aircraft from the lowest cost source. They don't expect for a pilot to make a career at Allegiant (although if he wants to that is fine) so they don't setup the salary or retirement structure to support that.

A big part of your work satisfaction will depend on your aircraft assignment. The Airbus pilots are generally much happier than the MD-80 guys since the MD has many more maintenance issues that cause headaches with delays & cancelled flights, worries about engine reliability, etc. The company is gradually moving away from using the MD-80 and plans to buy more Airbus aircraft in the coming years.

Allegiant management will tell you that most aircrew are home in base every night since most of their flights are out & back the same day. But there are details about that basing situation that many pilots hate, such as the virtual bases and the low number of off days in a row you'll get.

It kinda depends on how unhappy you are now at your current job. If close enough you could hang on until the flight hours are high enough to get in the door someplace better. But a lot of pilots come to Allegiant and realistically think of it just as a stepping stone to a better job down the road, and accept the fact that there will be crap that goes on in the mean time.

Anyway, that's my take on all I've read. You'll likely get other responses to fill out the situation. If you have time it is enlightening to read thru this thread and the other one, it looks like a ton to get thru but really there are only a hand full of comments on each page so it goes pretty fast.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

vol0816

Thanks for the candid reply Rok. I've been able to get through this thread and it is exactly as you describe. And you're absolutely right. I'm looking at Allegiant as a stepping stone to something better but just may decide that the headache and loss of QOL just may not be worth the bigger paycheck. I'll keep reading on and taking any and all viewpoints. Thanks again.

tom11011

Are you saying you bid only aircraft in week 1 but not domicile? Or are you saying you don't find out what you get during week 1? I would think if all the vacancies were published during week 1 maybe the new hire group could put it all together themselves based on comparing notes?

labbats

In regards to newhire classes the thing to bear in mind is that whatever drops is what you get for the next two years due to a seatlock. No other company that I know of does that.

So if you came to Allegiant because you live in Florida but then you get assigned the 757 you will be commuting to HNL until LAS opens up. If this were United or American and you got assigned something you didn't want you could bid out quickly.

fishforfun

Atlas, just off the top of my head.