2furloughs

New class of 20 on Dec. 17. Supposed to add at least 7 airplanes in 2010.

The Duke

Allegiant is a great company, I know many people over there from Mesa Airlines and I don't hear them whine about their jobs, which is amazing for pilots.

They make money, own their planes, stock is $41/share, they're growing during the worst recession in years, and they're even profitable flying MD-80s when oil shoots up to $147/bbl.

They have a business model and plan that works and executives only get bonuses, at least for now, if the company meets certain growth/profit figures.

Frankly, they're probably one of the best airlines out there and will be for some time. The reason their pilots should probably get a union isn't for a pay raise, it's so they have some protection or game-plan in place for when Allegiant potentially buys out a mis-managed airline with more senior pilots.

I would hate to see the same thing that happened to AmericaWest pilots w/ the Airways merger happen to Allegiant.

Regarding pay, we're going to see pay come down in this industry, not go up. In 10 years time the present rates at Allegiant, believe it or not, may be a lot more attractive to pilots at that time.

brianb

You think pay is going to go down? Based on what?

Cubdrick

Anyone else trying to update their resume at Allegiant find that it's no longer available and there's no record of your email address on file?

Fishfreighter

Have you ever considered that the REASON pay may be coming down is precisely BECAUSE Companies like Allegiant can get people to work for their wages/work rules?

They make their profit on the backs of labor by undercutting Union contracts. And if you don't think Union Company managers don't sit up and take notice, you're deluded.

Allegiant, Virgin and jetBlue pilots who fly narrowbody airplanes for 2/3rds of Union pay scales are the reason our pay is degrading.

That doesn't make them a "great Company" in my book. And the pilots who work there? No comment.

The Duke

3 Reasons:

1. China
2. China
3. China

Ultimately, future energy costs in this country due to peak oil and very intelligent/strategic moves regarding securing energy futures being made by the Chinese as we type.

The Duke

Baloney. Allegiant and jetBlue are good companies because their pilots have helped make them successful. They make money, they have a good plan, and they're generally happy with where they're at and what they're doing. They also think outside the box, unlike ALPA and the management teams at these traditional carriers that continue to bleed money like a stuck pig.

At the end of the day, I'm not really even concerned about the whole "management vs. labor" debate. I think as pilots and as Americans we should be a lot more concerned about how our lifestyles and pay will be influenced by the Chinese over the coming decades. The Chinese could make things very difficult and that has me a bit concerned. So much so that I think "pilot pay" will be the least of our concerns in 10-15 years time.

INXS

Nice.

Allegiant Air is #2 on the best company list in Forbes' book:

5 Reasons To Love Allegiant

Flex81

The pay might not be the highest in the industry, but it is my understanding that the pilots are home every night. I sat next to a Allegiant CA on a flight about 2 weeks ago. He had 17 days off that month, was home every night, and made about 115K last year. That sounded like the best job in the world to me! I would rather have this job than one flying freight at night for 250K and gone half the month.

SoCalGuy

Like you, have several friends who flew/flying for Mesa.

No personal disrespect to the Mesa pilots, but after working under "Commander Ornstein", anything is better outside of Mesa.

To all the former "Ornstein Oppressed", good for the guys/gals who got on with Allegiant.