N1sync

Harfst was our COO until January

SydKat

Looking for an update on which aircraft has the best schedules? Time on reserve? Which aircraft is most junior for FO and CA? (plug DOH?) And is it true that in the new contract, upgrading breaks the 2 year seat lock (i.e. 80 FO--->AB CA). An updated listing of bases by seniority would be great. Thanks in advance!

tom11011

Judging by your question, it sounds like you may not be aware this is not a commuter friendly airline. Nor is it an airline that has a great number of pilots in any particular base. Where do you live? It might be better if we told you what to expect regarding a certain base on the off chance you actually live there or want to move there.

akemps

You should have no trouble getting any base you want within a year. Please guys read this loud and clear.... No base at allegiant is so senior that you won't be able to hold it quickly. There is enough growth and attrition (less attrition now of course) and just people moving around for the hell of it, to provide openings for all the bases at least once every 6 six months (most much more than that). If that stops, well... it'll be a different story. Once you get to base, moving up the seniority list may be very different from base to base, although every base has its senior guys who don't plan on leaving. As for overall seniority within the base, the long established ones obviously win out (PIE, SFB, LAS, IWA, BLI).

upgrade in the 80 seems to be going a bit faster than the airbus for now, but not by much, and it's pretty much a mute point because we're going all "seniority based" now so once your base transitions over to the bus, your CA spot will be out for bid to the whole company anyway. at least that's how it's supposed to work.

I hear schedules on the airbus are a bit better overall. Your time on reserve will depend a lot on your base, and even more so on allegiant's continued growth, but as of now it should be no more than 6 months tops (straight reserve line that is, not talking mixed lines). I'm not sure about your seat lock question, but that will likely not matter once you are hired anyway. Upgrade time here is most likely going to steadily increase, best guess is quickest upgrade on the bus is currently around 1.5 years (to get the award, not to finish the training/hit the line) and the 80 is around a year. That's mainly because many/most fo's will just wait until they can upgrade in their base... thereby skewing the whole "upgrade time" equation.

If you have some time, read the last 35 pages or so. skipping over the negative and pointless posts and it shouldn't take you too long. You should glean some very helpful information.

-Alex-
cel: 484-661-7716

Packrat

Can't help it. It's a MOOT point, not a MUTE point.

SydKat

Yes, I'm aware of all that. My biggest question is to choose 80 or AB. The base I'm most interested in is only 80. I have homes on both the east coast and west coast, so commuting isn't really an issue.

Thanks for that info, Alex, very helpful. I've read the last 50 or so pages here, and skimmed the rest. I really was wondering if the contract has changed things. Like I said above, I'm trying to decide if I want to bid 80 and get a preferred base, or go for the Bus. Also wondering how people feel about VBD... good thing or bad thing? Thanks.

tomgoodman

It's a MOO point!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KAyAp33MfLw

akemps

Well the only base that's all 80 is vegas; which in my opinion will always be junior for FO's. If it's any help, JB (our VP of d@mn near everything) has stated more than once that the whole fleet is going airbus much sooner rather than later. I believe they're shooting for an all airbus fleet by 2018, but that may be rather optimistic. He did say however on the last company conference call that Vegas will start getting airbuses by the end of 2017 (or maybe it was early 2018...). In any case, it won't be too long before every base has airbuses. And when factoring in when your class date ends up being, and when you actually finish training and hit the line; I'd give at least 4 months from the start of class until first day on the line.

You'll avoid a lot of headache (arguable I'm sure) and a lot of super hot airplanes if you bid the airbus... it's by far a nicer plane to fly from a lazy pilot perspective. the 80 I'm told is an aviator's airplane, makes you work but is a darn good time.

In short, I'd say go for the bus. You may give up your best base option, but it's only for a brief period of time, and there's just too many positives on the bus. Plus, as I tell everyone, no matter which base, airplane, etc, your first year at Allegiant will probably be pretty crappy, much like your first year at any airline. Low pay, bad schedules, low days off. Most guys here make a few changes between bases (and airplanes) before they get settled in somewhere.

O and VBD is a great option for commuters (especially those with decent seniority). But you probably won't get very much time at home. At least you have a rental car, hotel, and 24/7 per diem paid while you check out various bases each month.

-Alex-
cel: 484-661-7716

9easy

Come here and bid for a city you'll be happy to live in. Fast upgrades will go away as the airbus takes over, there are easily 100+ FO's on MD80 that are just waiting to upgrade on the airbus. Within 2 years everyone will be on the airbus. There is basically zero growth planned for the next 2 years while they move everyone over to the airbus... but if you live in base and accrue some seniority, being an FO making $100k+ a year and working 14 days a month is an easy part time job.

deltajuliet

How hard and fast is that 3000 TT?