Well, How About Allegiant--Domestic

Despite great fares, limited service and poor customer relations prevent me from seriously considering flying with Allegiant. See reviews here: http://www.airlinequality.com/airline-reviews/allegiant-air/

I've flown Allegiant twice now because they fly out of a close smaller airport, my other option is going to Chicago. We had no problem. They are definitely a no thrills company.

I think that since the FAA has made this comment, you will see Allegiant more careful about their maintenance now.

This isn't a new development for them. I've said for several years that I'll never fly Allegiant, no matter the price.

tgreen,

I am thinking you are right. I also am flying one way, 2 hours to a small airport near home. Don't need any frills on this one. Just need to get there. Counting on all of our American regulations paying off.

My God. I'd never, ever consider that airline. But I avoid the fringe carriers in general. I want an airline that pays its pilots well and doesn't depend on comparative newbies. So no "Delta Connection", "United Express" or "American Eagle" flights for me, either.

Allegiant sounds like it's a cut beneath all the others.

The Allegiant financial model for low cost is flying older equipment acquired at low prices. Aircraft have limited useful lives because of cumulative fatigue wear and damage. Cumulative fatigue is made worst with short runs because of the number of take offs and landings and cabin pressure cycles. Best aircraft are those "broken in" but not broken or about to be broken. Pilots also allege that the company cuts cost by cutting corners on maintenance.

Something to think about:
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2016/05/06/allegiant-safety-pilots/

When nearly half of pilots say they won’t let their own families fly
on Allegiant’s planes, that’s saying something.

Firing a pilot who terminated a trip when flight attendants and passengers complained about smoke may contribute to flight crew unhappiness. Apparently the company was not pleased that the captain evacuated the aircraft. http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/allegiant-pilot-files-lawsuit-over-being-fired-emergency-landing

Just after the flight had become airborne, Kinzer said that he
received "frantic calls" from flight attendants that passengers were
smelling smoke in the rear of the aircraft. Kinzer made the decision
to declare an emergency and return to the airport.

After a routine landing, the jet stopped at the end of a runway and
emergency response crews took a look at the plane and its engines.

An emergency responder confirmed that smoke was coming from the
plane's right engine. After consulting with his first officer, Kinzer
made the decision to evacuate the plane.

After a conversation between the air-traffic-control tower at the
airport, the emergency responders and the flight deck, an unidentified
voice entered the discussion, according to a recording of radio
transmissions. The man didn't identify himself in his transmissions
and urged the pilot to "hold off on that evacuation, please."

The aircraft was a MD-80. When was the last time you flew in an MD-80.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-12/allegiant-accused-of-firing-pilot-for-evacuating-smoky-plane-igwn3755

The Federal Aviation Administration began a probe in August [2015] into a
mechanical failure that caused the nose of one of its airliners to
rise off the ground prematurely while trying to take off.

Heightened Scrutiny. FAA officials said last month the agency
intensified its scrutiny of Allegiant’s “flight operations and
aircraft maintenance programs.” Allegiant’s inspection after the
errant takeoff found three jets with bolts on aircraft control systems
that weren’t properly secured, according to repair logs obtained by
Bloomberg.

Allegiant Airlines 100% single-handedly ruined my summer vacation in July. I had booked months in advance, secured hotels, car rentals and the morning of our flight received a txt saying our flight was cancelled. No communication as to rescheduling of our flight. My first thought was OMG - I've got to cancel my other reservations before I get charged for them although SOME of them were already non-refundable. Many hours on the phone with Allegiant and I finally got my airfare money back but the approximately $1000 lost in other nonrefundable reservations is gone for good - and I got ZERO vacation in return.

I have to vouchers for $$ from them for my "inconvenience". I wouldn't dare let any of my friends use those vouchers for fear they would be left high and dry like I was. I'm a seasoned traveler, and I can't believe I allowed myself to be snared by this sorry excuse of an airline!

Hmmm..... Definitely still thinking about it. I purposefully did not use Allegiant on the way to my trip, only on return. This way if the flight is delayed/cancelled will just be stuck in Miami. The reason I booked this ticket in the first place is that I could not find one airline to get me from Cleveland to Miami and back on the dates and times that I needed to match my excursion.

I have several weeks to decide. If I find another alternative I will probably book it. In the mean time will watch and see.
How many of you that won't fly Allegiant still shop at Wal-Mart?

What is the connection with shopping at Wal Mart? Is Allegiant owned by Wal Mart?

I think the link is between sweat-shop products at Walmart and my reference to poorly-paid commuter-airline pilots. But I confess that I wasn't thinking about the poor underpaid pilots for their benefit. I meant that I feel safer with more experienced (and thus better-paid) pilots.

We've flown Allegiant numerous times in the last couple years and have had no issues. Our son and his family fly on Allegiant once a year to visit us because it is a non-stop flight. They've had no issues either. If I had no commitments on the other end besides a car reservation, and it was a lot cheaper, I'd fly Allegiant.

BTW, acraven, some of us don't have the option of avoiding the regional jets, which provide important service to smaller markets. We don't all live near a large airport with lots of choices.

Understood. I wasn't suggesting that others follow my policy, just noting that I have a bias against smaller airlines that no doubt affected my very negative reaction to the information posted about Allegiant.

Walmart vs. Allegiant:

Walmart is non-union and staffs to the greatest extent possible with part-time workers who depend on government benefits to survive:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/04/15/report-walmart-workers-cost-taxpayers-6-2-billion-in-public-assistance/#104ea8057cd8
Forbes:

Walmart’s low-wage workers cost U.S. taxpayers an estimated $6.2
billion in public assistance including food stamps, Medicaid and
subsidized housing, according to a report published to coincide with
Tax Day, April 15.

Allegiant's pilots are Teamsters:
http://www.g4pilots.com/ibt-press-release-teamster-allegiant-air-pilots-approve-historic-first-contract/

TEAMSTER ALLEGIANT AIR PILOTS APPROVE HISTORIC FIRST CONTRACT
7-28-2016

After more than three years of bargaining, Allegiant Air pilots –
represented by Teamsters Local 1224 – ratified their first union
contract with the airline on Thursday. With substantial improvements
in compensation, benefits, and scheduling, the contract is a major
victory for the pilots who have been working tirelessly to raise
standards at the low-cost carrier. Pilots will immediately receive up
to 31 percent pay increases, high quality health insurance and greater
job security.

This union agreement gives pilots – for the first time – the full job
protections of a contract, a critical component to a safe working
environment and airline. This will include full participation in
critical FAA safety programs.

And in honor of Labor Day: Power in a Union

We fly Allegiant all the time from central IL to Florida because they offer a nonstop flight. Don't like paying for a carryon, but other than that, I have nothing to complain about.

"So no "Delta Connection", "United Express" or "American Eagle" flights for me, either. "

Sounds like one of my former employees. (Key word "Former". He announced he would not fly on the "small planes" and we informed him that his job required him to travel where our locations were and lots of them were in small towns... his response "well other members of the staff can do them" Hmmm.. we suggested it was time for new opportunities LOL!)

That's a reasonable position for an employer to take, but I'm retired. I only once needed to take a commuter flight (to Colorado Springs) for work, and I did. Later I realized that I could have rented a car and driven from Denver (on my own time) at equivalent, or lower, cost.

Thanks to all for the discussion. I would not normally choose a cut rate company for almost anything (I do take generic medications due to exorbitant costs) because I think paying a bit more is worth the cost of paying for better working conditions. I do not shop at Walmart. Lets avoid the discussion if my plan is actually helping anyone because I realize it might not be.

On the other hand I am glad that there are alternative airlines to give competition to the big guys. There is a parallel discussion going on regarding Ryanair. I understand that I won't get good customer service, no free diet Coke (nothing is free), etc on this trip. I realize the increased risk that my flight will be delayed or cancelled. My main concern was for my personal safety.

If our great American system is working the FAA will do its job and make sure that these flights are safe.
As of today I am still planning on keeping the flight, but reserve the right to change my mind.

Actually, Allegiant does serve free soft drinks, juice, etc. At least they did last year, when I last flew with them.

I have flown allegiant many times as it's the only direct flight from my town to the family. It's great sometimes, but ... Lots of delays and cancellations . I'm getting to the point where I might fly another flight even if it takes longer.

I have flown Allegiant several times in the past, but this year decided I would not fly with this airline again. Air travel is stressful enough and I didn't like the feeling that "they were doing me a favor" when I flew with Allegiant. I have a friend who is a pilot and they advised against flying with them as well. When I switched to Alaska Airlines it was such a change, just the little things, like addressing me by name when I was boarding. Good luck with your decision.

for those of us who have never heard of them - how do you pronounce the name? Like all-a-giant? (a giant what?)

Uh-lee-jent

Think "allegiance" as in allegiance to the Queen. :-)

As to the point of the FAA doing their job to make air travel safe...have you ever noticed you really don't hear much from the FAA until AFTER an incident???

Lots of very good reason to avoid Allegiant, and all the other no-frills/deep-discount airlines, but the following comments are a little unfair.

@Edgar “The aircraft was a MD-80. When was the last time you flew in an MD-80.” The last time I flew American Airlines (2 weeks ago) and Delta (2 months ago). Since Boeing purchased McDonnell-Douglas (1997), they’ve been re-named the Boeing 717 but their still just an MD-80.

@acraven – “I want an airline that pays its pilots well and doesn't depend on comparative newbies. So no "Delta Connection", "United Express" or "American Eagle" flights for me, either.” It’s kind of hard to avoid flying the legacy airlines’ junior partners but more importantly, I think you misjudged their pilot base in an unfair manner. The vast majority of “Delta Connection", "United Express" and "American Eagle" crew members are former, and well-seasoned, pilots from the military or other legacy airlines that have ceased to exist.

Bottom line, you get what you pay for and you have been forewarned as to their miserable levels of service and reliability.

Cumulative fatigue?

http://www.inc.com/chris-matyszczyk/this-airlines-planes-break-down-in-mid-air-4-times-as-often-as-any-other-airline.html

This Airline's Planes Break Down in Mid-Air 4 Times as Often as Any
Other Airline's

By Chris Matyszczyk PUBLISHED ON: NOV 6, 2016

For every 10,000 flights, an airline has, on average, three unexpected
landings. Last year, Allegiant had 12.

Well, my flight is on the 20th. I am using the tickets. Will come back here to post if I make it! Wish me luck.

I have safely returned home and survived my travel with Allegiant airlines. The afternoon flight was on time. No difficulties at check in. We checked one bag due to transporting liquids. Our seats were in the first row (pre-purchased). Plane was clean and comfortable. I laughed out loud when a woman boarding the plane asked the flight attendant if it was a new plane as it had "a new plane smell." The flight attendant responded with a chuckle that it was not new.

Not sure if I will use them again. I guess it depends on the circumstances.

I do not know if the gate agents were policing the carry on luggage in any way. The boarding pass states whether or not you paid for your carry on bag. One personal item was free. I can tell you for sure that the bags people were bringing on did NOT meet the size requirements listed online. I don't know how all of that luggage fit on the plane. My partner and I were in compliance ; ).

glad you had an uneventful flight. I also saw the same larger bags brought on the flights. I guess it is time I don't worry about being "called out" on a flight for a larger bag. Why can't these airlines just stop causing more stress to us paying customers?
Welcome home.

She wasn't pushy about it but she reads everything and wanted me to be informed. It certainly made me anxious. Posting here helped me work through the decision to keep the flight. I will say I was a little more antsy during take off and landing than I normally am. I hate those parts of flying anyways. When I see her at Thanksgiving I will ask her to think through sending people that sort of message in the future. I had read reviews before I booked but I was unaware of the safety concerns.