Says Many Say They Are Looking For Better Pay, Benefits, Working Conditions

Pilot attrition is accelerating at Allegiant Air as pilots, even senior captains with many years invested, have been leaving in increasing numbers for companies luring them with better and safer operations, better working conditions, better schedules and increased compensation and benefits packages.

That is the assessment of the union which represents the pilots.

In a release to the media, Teamsters Local 1224 says that a significant number of pilots have recently left and more indicate they are planning to leave Allegiant Air in pursuit of greener pastures.  Flights have been cancelled and Allegiant Air continues to deploy sub service due to a lack of crews to fly their airplanes.  The airline's management and investors should equally be concerned with pilot attrition, as it has a direct impact on the operation.

The union says that not only is Allegiant Air having trouble retaining qualified pilots, but the management team is struggling to replace the losses by attempting to hire from a dwindling pool of qualified candidates who, once exposed to the realities of employment at Allegiant Air and the difficult relationship with an anti-union management team, often elect to leave as well. And even as the number of new hires replacing former pilots at the airline is steadily climbing, some new hires elect not to show up for training, the union leadership said.

The accelerating loss of pilots is not a sustainable model for the company, it's not favorable for shareholders, and it certainly doesn't offer perks for the remaining pilots on payroll.  Already flying full schedules, some of the remaining pilots are finding themselves forced into covering additional flights, keeping them away from home for weeks and even months at a time.

The pilots, and the union representing them, are urging the management team to address the underlying conditions at the root of the crew shortage.

"Addressing several key issues would go a long way towards stemming the company's losses," said Teamsters Local 1224 President Daniel Wells, speaking on behalf of the Allegiant Air pilots.  "The Teamsters have presented the company with a comprehensive proposal, to which they have refused to reply.  The proposal addresses key and legitimate concerns held by the Allegiant Air pilots.  An honest effort by the company to reach an agreement during contract negotiations would have a positive effect, stem the unsustainable losses they are experiencing, and allow the company to succeed going forward."

In August 2012 the pilots overwhelmingly voted for Teamster representation. The unions says that after that vote, many pilot benefits were reduced below prior negotiated levels, resulting in a lawsuit and a court-ordered injunction against the company which directed Allegiant Air to restore benefits to previous levels.

"We want to work with the management team at Allegiant Air to build an airline where pilots will want to come and stay," said Wells.  "It's time to stop spending money fighting in Federal Court and blaming government regulatory agencies for operational challenges."

The union says that pilots have taken their concerns to management and repeatedly offered their assistance to help Allegiant Air become a sustainable, successful airline. However, offers for a team effort and support from the pilots are met with disregard and disdain. 

The union has begun surveying pilots who are leaving Allegiant Air in order to best identify and trend the causal factors leading to a pilot's decision to leave.  As soon as enough statistical data has been documented to ensure sound statistics, the pilots intend to present the data to their management team in another effort to stem meaningful change.

FMI: www.ibt1224.org