Dennis Yu

I’ve flown Allegiant Airlines 37 times since 2013

Sometimes Allegiant is the only choice for point-to-point, especially smaller cities. I fly a lot, and commuting an hour or more from the airport to where I actually need to be is the most time consuming aspect I face when traveling. Allegiant Air caters to less frequented destinations and helps me reduce those lengthy commute times. Instead of going 60 miles from Provo to Salt Lake City, I could fly right out of Provo on Allegiant. When I need to fly to little known destinations I fly Allegiant Air Allegiant air helps me cut down my commute time outside of Utah as well.For instance, I visit Phoenix often and its often far more practical to fly out of Mesa(airport code AZA). These options underscore the benefits of regional airlines in offering closer, and sometimes cheaper, alternatives to major airports. I prefer using regional codes over specific airport codes in my flight searches when planning trips between major cities. This approach uncovers more cost-effective or direct flight options. For instance, instead of searching for flights to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) alone, I use the regional code QLA. This search strategy reveals flights to all five regional airports in the Los Angeles area – LAX, Burbank, Long Beach, and Ontario – providing a broader range of choices and potentially better deals. I’m personally connected to Allegiant Air through my good friend Alex Brant, an Allegiant pilot I met during his time at BYU. Our conversations have shed light on the working conditions and the resulting safety issues within the aviation industry. Despite Allegiant’s profitability, its pilots, like Alex, often face less favorable terms compared to their counterparts at larger airlines, a reflection of an outdated contract now over a decade old. Alex and I discuss his career at Allegiant Alex’s situation with Allegiant highlights a broader narrative in the aviation sector. While low-cost carriers are frequently the subject of jokes for their cost-cutting measures, they are among the most profitable in the industry. Yet, the dedication and skill of their pilots, who ensure passenger safety on every flight, often go unrecognized. This contrast paints a complex picture of the aviation industry, where profitability and efficiency coexist with challenges in employee treatment and public perception.

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Allegiant

How Much Do Allegiant Pilots Make?

I had the chance to sit down with Alex, an experienced Allegiant pilot, to shed some light on the burning question—how much do Allegiant pilots make? According to Alex, the hourly pay is $57, but here’s the catch—it’s only when the cabin door closes. Unfortunately, those moments of pre-flight, waiting for passengers to settle, or maintenance issues don’t count toward the paycheck. Now, let’s talk annual figures. Starting, aspiring pilots can expect around $60,000 a year. However, as you progress in your career, the sky’s the limit. Some seasoned pilots at Allegiant are reportedly pulling in an impressive $500,000 annually. But here’s the real story behind those Allegiant numbers Allegiant pilots have been the butt of many jokes (much like Spirit and Frontier). Despite their hard work, these pilots are mistreated and underpaid, largely because the Teamsters (yes, that Teamsters – Jimmy Hoffa and trucker drivers) have done a poor job handling contract negotiations. Because of this delay, Allegiant (which I have used to fly a lot) cannot fix poor working conditions for pilots and cannot hire enough pilots, leading to operational issues. The Allegiant pilots hired me to wage a PR campaign to get attention on the issues, getting it approved via IBT 2118 (International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 2118). We built a website, recorded content, ran dollar-a-day campaigns, and got millions of eyeballs on it. We did great work, which the Allegiant pilots agree, but the Teamsters (the union) don’t want to pay. It’s ironic they are mistreating me since they hired me to help bring attention to their plight. The Allegiant pilots are so unhappy with the Teamsters that they are switching to ALPA (Airline Pilots Association), which is where most pilots are. If you’re considering a career as a pilot at Allegiant, these insights reveal the harsh realities behind the paycheck. The fight for better conditions is ongoing, and it’s clear that much work remains to be done. So, while the financial prospects might look promising on paper, the reality of working conditions and union support paints a different picture. If you’re in it for the long haul, stay informed and be prepared to advocate for better treatment and pay.

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