Request for the Allegiant guys/gals

[Daytonaflyer]

I know a lot of FO's and just a few CA's who plan to leave if SWA ever starts hiring again. I guess they realize there is no way to ever make a lot of money here. Even if we had equal pay rates, a SWA pilot can get paid over 130 hrs/month, and an AAY pilot will max out around 94 hrs/month except for on rare occasions. And that's if we had equal pay rates, which we don't.

 

[BRA]

Thanks for the info! Been doing a lot of research on allegiant this past year as I have become real interested in getting out of corporate flying... A few more questions...

-do u guys have a pretty senior/junior pilot group? Do you see any significant movement once the age 65 rule catches up with us in the next few years?

-what would you guess upgrade times will look like for anyone getting hired during the next 12-24 months?

Also, I have 1 quick question if anyone working at allegiant could PM me, I would appreciate it! Thanks for the intel!

I think the upgrade time will come down a little around the time the age 65 rule catches up. It would appear the economy would have to be better by then, airlines will all be hiring and the amount of applicants for the least wanted jobs will run a little bit dry. We saw it happen in 2007. That was a very good year for hiring. Many regionals were letting pilots in with bare minimums. The most attractive parts of Allegiant are the out and back schedule and the consistent profitablity. The one year upgrade used to be attractive but it no longer exists. As of now it is not a place you brag to your friends about working at. There is no prestige at all.

The one year upgrades that existed up to early 2008 were due to a small airline growing a lot, some pilots retiring, and many pilots quitting to go elsewhere. Allegiant's pay has caught up to many of it's peers, but how will it compare in 2013?

If they pay rates continue going forward......people will stay and upgrade will remain 3 years +

If pay rates stagnate......people will quit and the upgrade will shorten.

 

[Daytonaflyer]

Well, honestly, the pay rates have caught up to our peers for now, but every single pilot here will still make a lot less than their counterparts at other airlines. But that's mostly because we spend less time on-duty.

Every time you go to work here, it cuts into your 100hrs/month flight time. And since management usually limits you to 94 hours/month, it's almost impossible to make much more than that, except for the 30% overrride over 81 hours.
Other airlines have frequent deadheading which doesn't cut into your maximum flight time, profit sharing, and a higher override. I expect to make about $80k this year flying 1000 hours and I expect my Jet Blue, Southwest, and Air Tran counterparts to make $110K-$160K.

It's still a pretty good job, but if making a lot of money is your top priority, look elsewhere.

 

[john cocktosen]

Well, honestly, the pay rates have caught up to our peers for now, but every single pilot here will still make a lot less than their counterparts at other airlines. But that's mostly because we spend less time on-duty.

Every time you go to work here, it cuts into your 100hrs/month flight time. And since management usually limits you to 94 hours/month, it's almost impossible to make much more than that, except for the 30% overrride over 81 hours.
Other airlines have frequent deadheading which doesn't cut into your maximum flight time, profit sharing, and a higher override. I expect to make about $80k this year flying 1000 hours and I expect my Jet Blue, Southwest, and Air Tran counterparts to make $110K-$160K.

It's still a pretty good job, but if making a lot of money is your top priority, look elsewhere.

I'm thinking Quality of life at Allegiant might be worth the pay cut right now. I'd like to keep living in the Southwest. And refuse to commute to the east coast.

It's not gonna happen at US Air in my lifetime. Southwest could maybe work, but I'd be in line with 10000 other resumes, and be an FO for 10 years. Delta and Alaska are good prospects, but alot like southwest, and I'd have to suck it up and go to anchorage, MSP or ATL for a while before I could back to the Southwestern US.

Money is great. But having time to enjoy it is better.

 

[hate2bL8]

how does a pilot in a 121 operation fly 130 hours in amonth

 

[hate2bL8]

I guess u meant paid for 130 hrs

 

[BRA]

Well, honestly, the pay rates have caught up to our peers for now, but every single pilot here will still make a lot less than their counterparts at other airlines. But that's mostly because we spend less time on-duty.

Every time you go to work here, it cuts into your 100hrs/month flight time. And since management usually limits you to 94 hours/month, it's almost impossible to make much more than that, except for the 30% overrride over 81 hours.
Other airlines have frequent deadheading which doesn't cut into your maximum flight time, profit sharing, and a higher override. I expect to make about $80k this year flying 1000 hours and I expect my Jet Blue, Southwest, and Air Tran counterparts to make $110K-$160K.

It's still a pretty good job, but if making a lot of money is your top priority, look elsewhere.

Agreed. For the most part Allegiant does not have the 3-5 day trips that pay a minimum amount per day and what not. I think many that do live in base would rather it be how it is here rather than go to a real airline that has the 3-5 day trips. It just depends on what you are into. Some people really do not want to be home every night.

 

[Fly High]

If I read correctly, the pay is currently on Tier 3 of a 4 Tier System, correct? If the economy ever turns around and starts to boom, how much of a $$ difference would Tier 4 be vs Tier 3? Realistic chance of it hitting Tier 4 or just a carrot to keep you hoping? Thanks Much!

 

[Daytonaflyer]

I guess u meant paid for 130 hrs

Yep, that's why I said a SWA pilot could get paid for 130 hrs. Read it again.

 

[Daytonaflyer]

If I read correctly, the pay is currently on Tier 3 of a 4 Tier System, correct? If the economy ever turns around and starts to boom, how much of a $$ difference would Tier 4 be vs Tier 3? Realistic chance of it hitting Tier 4 or just a carrot to keep you hoping? Thanks Much!

We will most likely go back to band 2 in a few months and once again be substandard. We won't reach band 4 pay any time soon. The 4 band pay system is a horrible idea. Why should we take pay cuts when we're still making higher profits than any other airline in the country???

 

[Fly High]

Ouch!

 

[fly4surf]

Double ouch.

 

[Caveman]

The pay spread on the 4 band system is about $20 @ hour for a CA and $15 @ hour for FOs. IOW, a 5th CA could get as much as $145 @ hour and as little as $125. On band 3 they currently get $138.

 

[crxpilot]

We will most likely go back to band 2 in a few months and once again be substandard. We won't reach band 4 pay any time soon. The 4 band pay system is a horrible idea. Why should we take pay cuts when we're still making higher profits than any other airline in the country???

try not to be such a drama queen. how bout no changes in band pay until May? keeping band 3 is not that hard to do.

 

[Fly High]

In a conversation with an Allegiant Pilot I was told that commuting may be hard since Allegiant likes to make the schedules along the line of: On Sun & Mon, Off Tues & Wed, On Thurs & Fri, Off Sat. Thoughts?