2026 Q1 Newsletter – Strategic Preparedness Committee Update

/by

Strategic Preparedness Committee Update

Fellow Pilots,

On behalf of your entire Strategic Preparedness Committee (SPC) team, we understand how frustrating it has been to work toward an overdue and updated contract that reflects our value as professional airline pilots. This process has clearly been designed to exploit the RLA bargaining framework and delay progress as long as possible.

The company must recognize that we have earned a competitive, market‑based contract that reflects our invaluable contributions to Allegiant’s success. Our Collective Bargaining Agreement must protect and improve our working conditions while providing the compensation and benefits our profession deserves. While we acknowledge Allegiant’s unique business model, that does not justify accepting a substandard agreement.

The accelerated regulatory approval of the Sun Country acquisition is an important milestone that we are closely monitoring, particularly given the sensitive nature of our own negotiations and what this development could potentially mean for our pilot group.

The SPC Chair has met with the Executive Board in Las Vegas, and the full SPC leadership team is prepared to resume discussions with them in the near future. Strategic direction and priorities moving forward are set by our elected officials, and the SPC will continue to operate in coordination with their guidance. We have demonstrated what the SPC is capable of accomplishing and stand ready when called upon.

We appreciate the support of Sun Country pilots and look forward to collaborating with them in the future. The nationwide picket serves as a strong example of what can be achieved through coordinated, industry‑wide efforts to raise public awareness.

Since activation, the SPC has taken deliberate steps to publicize our labor dispute and support our Negotiating Committee. This is a challenge that many pilot groups have faced, and it is our responsibility as aviators to continue demanding the respect and overall compensation package our profession warrants. The company has an opportunity to repair the damaged relationship, and that process begins with offering a fair, market‑based agreement.

Until meaningful progress is made, Allegiant will continue to lose talented pilots each month. The current trajectory is not sustainable in the long term. Allegiant — it is time to do the right thing.

Fly safe, and more to follow soon.

Strategic Preparedness Committee
SPC@apa2118.org

2026 Q1 Newsletter – Stewards Committee Update

/by

Stewards Committee Update

“Is that even legal?”

If you ask yourself that question following a call from the company, your best resource is your union stewards. 

Read the attached update for information about comp days, changes to a reserve line holders’ days off, and the new on-call steward program.

All About Comp Days

The CBA states that if a trip delay infringes on a day “previously scheduled free of Duty” with an actual off time past 0200, the pilot is entitled to a replacement day off, or “comp day.” Any flight or deadhead time beyond 0000 will be paid above guarantee. (The company notates this as “ABGM” on the Tableau pay report). 

Pilots are to give three choices of comp day to crew services. Please note that the contract does not place any limitations on what days the pilots can select, and any demand by crew scheduling to make choices other than the ones initially submitted to crew scheduling is not warranted by the CBA. If crew scheduling is not willing to honor one of the choices, they are required to make the choice of replacement day off for the pilot and the pilot will be PPSK’ed for the removed trip and paid ABG for any other trip picked up on that day.

Q: I emailed crew services with three choices of comp day and they responded that they cannot honor any of them and requested that I make three other choices. Do I need to do this?

A: No. The CBA does not place any limitations on which days a pilot can choose, even including a day attached to a multi-day pairing. Pilots are welcome to respond to crew services that they will not be making further choices per the CBA. As always, if an interaction with the company raises questions, please contact the stewards at stewards@apa2118.org for guidance.

Q: I’m on reserve and crew services just changed my day off. Do I get a comp day?

A: No. Crew services is entitled to exchange a pure reserve line holder’s days on duty – this process is different from that for a comp day and explained in detail below. However, if a trip on a reserve callout is delayed past 0200 on a day off, the comp day rules apply.

Reserve Days Off — Know the Rules

Pilots on a pure reserve line are not guaranteed the days off awarded to them from the bid in the same manner as line holders. The CBA states that “Crew Scheduling may change a Reserve Line Pilot’s Days Off, excluding Golden Days, on the calendar day prior to a Day Off.” (16.G.3) Note that this language does not entitle crew services to change a reserve line holder’s days off without limit: only the day off immediately following the day on duty in which the pilot was contacted can be changed. This requires pilots to understand a somewhat confusing rule and to contact the union if they feel the company has violated the CBA. 

The company must also select another reserve day from a pilot’s awarded reserve line to be changed to a day off, or “X-1” day. This is not a PPSK; pilots will be paid ABG for any trip or reserve period picked up from open time, VFN, or trip trade.

Q: I have a single day of reserve on a Saturday and the company called me on Thursday to assign me a two-day pairing that would start on Saturday and end on Sunday, originally my day off. Is that legal?

A: No. A single pairing can be assigned to a reserve pilot from open time up to two days prior to a pilot’s reserve duty, but to take away a pilot’s off day, crew services would have to wait until the day before, or in this case Saturday to make the assignment.

Q: I have three days of reserve in a row and Crew Services is assigning me a four-day trip, changing my day off on what is now the last day of the trip, is this legal?

A: No. Because the company must wait until the day before the day off, there is no way to legally make this assignment to a reserve line holder.

Q: How can I use Gold Days help prevent the company from changing my days off?

A: By placing gold days at the end of a single day or block of reserve days, pilots effectively prevent the company from changing their days off.

Q: The company has changed my off day in violation of the CBA, what should I do?

A: Contact your APA 2118 Stewards Committee at Stewards@apa2118.org.

Q: After changing my day off on a reserve line, the company marked my new day off as PPSK and now I am not being fully paid for a trip I picked up from open time, is that right?

A: No. A replacement day off should be marked X-1 and not PPSK, and any pickup on that day should be paid entirely ABG. Pilots in this situation should file a JIRA report and contact the union Payroll Committee with questions.

The On‑Call Steward Program

As of April 1, the committee has instituted an on call steward to be available to pilots at all times. Pilots can contact the on call  

Steward via the main union office phone number (702) 268-7591 with immediately time-sensitive questions or issues. Questions that are not time-sensitive should instead be emailed to stewards@apa2118.org and will be answered promptly.

Stewards are experts in Collective Bargaining Agreement language and interpretation and can act as representation for pilots in everything from disagreements with crew services to potentially disciplinary Section 18 meetings. Stewards also review and shepherd the grievance process and are happy to assist pilots in writing or submitting grievances properly. We strongly encourage pilots to contact the stewards if an assignment seems to be illegal or in violation of the contract. While it’s always good to ask fellow pilots for advice, to get the official union position pilots should contact the stewards.

Q: I have an issue and I’m not sure which committee to contact, where should I start?

A: Contact your union stewards at Stewards@APA2118.org or for an immediately time-sensitive issue call (702) 268-7591.

Q: I don’t know which committee to contact — where should I start?

A: Contact your Union Stewards by email at
stewards@apa2118.org

2026 Q1 Newsletter – A-PAN Committee Update

/by

A‑PAN Committee Update

Another quarter is in the books for our pilot group at Allegiant. We are encouraged by the continued expansion of support resources available through the Allegiant Pilots Assistance Network (A‑PAN), and we are excited about building stronger collaboration with our industry colleagues at Sun Country in the future.

Collaboration is fundamental to A‑PAN and is reflected directly in our name. Our recent evolution to include peer wellbeing support reinforces the importance of open communication and the exchange of information. To better serve the diverse needs of our pilot group, we have brought together volunteers from as many bases and backgrounds as possible.

Our April training includes pilot volunteers from HIMS, Professional Standards, Hotels, Payroll, Benefits, the instructor cadre, and the Executive Board. In total, volunteers from seven Allegiant bases are participating, along with two pilots from Atlas. If you are an engaged pilot and have questions or concerns, please seek us out and let us know how we can support you.

The recent accident at LGA and the ongoing operational stresses we face have understandably impacted many crewmembers. Incidents such as Jazz 8646 in LaGuardia highlight vulnerabilities that any crew can encounter. For many, feelings of helplessness or emotional strain are natural responses to seeing events like these unfold. These moments reinforce why a strong, safety‑focused culture and peer support network are essential.

We are pilots, but we are also human. Experiencing stress, emotional responses, and fatigue is normal. Often, having a confidential conversation with another pilot who understands aviation challenges can help process difficult experiences and support recovery.

A‑PAN volunteers are trained to engage with these emotions constructively and to help pilots work through stress‑related or trauma‑influenced mindsets. Do not wait for someone else to make the call — if you need support, reach out to us by phone, email, or text.

Looking ahead, “March Madness” provided an early glimpse of the busy summer period approaching. The loss of an hour to daylight saving time, increased flying, schedule disruptions, and late nights can quickly impact sleep quality. Despite sleep hygiene concepts being covered during annual training, these practices are often overlooked during peak operations.

Think of your day like baking a frozen meal — preparation matters. Just as you would not rush the cooking process, allowing time to properly wind up and wind down during your day supports better rest. Protecting sleep windows, managing routines, and avoiding extremes all contribute to improved recovery.

Practical Sleep & Wellbeing Strategies

Self‑Care: Maintain basic physical routines such as hydration, calming evening habits, appropriate environmental temperature (ideally 64–68°F), comfortable bedding, and consistent sleep attire. Regular check‑ins with family or significant others are also important to overall wellbeing.

Reflect: Journaling, mindfulness, spiritual practices, or meditation can help process daily stressors. Some professionals recommend scheduling designated “worry time” earlier in the day so concerns are not carried into bedtime.

Un‑Plug: Reduce light exposure and screen time beginning an hour before sleep. Avoid heavy meals, alcohol, tobacco, or intense exercise three hours prior to bedtime. Light reading or cognitive games can be helpful alternatives.

Rejuvenate: Gentle stretching, relaxation routines, and gratitude practices help end the day positively. Visualization techniques can also support relaxation as you prepare to sleep.

Reset: If sleep does not come after 20–25 minutes, step away briefly to reset — leave the bedroom, read lightly, or have hot tea. Return once drowsiness sets in.

Safeguards: Strong emotions and unprocessed concerns can disrupt sleep. Writing down thoughts, prioritizing the next day, and allowing yourself permission to disengage overnight can help mitigate these effects. If fatigue develops, call out fatigued and submit a report. If sleep challenges persist, reach out to A‑PAN or Fatigue Committee volunteers for additional support.

Chronological Keys (adapted from Sleep Scientist Matt Walker)

  • Set consistent bed‑time reminders for yourself and your family.
  • Limit caffeine and alcohol intake, particularly in the hours leading up to bedtime.
  • Maintain a cooler sleep environment — approximately 65°F (18°C) is ideal.
  • Dim lights and eliminate blue light exposure well before sleep.
  • Establish structured wind‑down routines to cue the body for rest.
  • Seek professional medical guidance for chronic sleep issues that do not improve with routine adjustments.

If you would like additional strategies or want to share what has or has not worked for you, please reach out to the A‑PAN team. We are here to support our pilot peers and assist with whatever challenges come your way.

Fly safe,
Allegiant Pilots Assistance Network (A‑PAN)
apan@apa2118.org

Executive Board Update: Allegiant–Sun Country Acquisition Committees

/by
Fellow Pilots,

We are taking an important step in preparation for the Allegiant–Sun Country acquisition.

We have officially established the Seniority List Integration Committee and the Merger Committee. The work of these committees will directly shape the future of our combined pilot group.

Volunteer selections were made based on experience, professionalism, sound judgment, and the ability to manage the workload and responsibility these efforts require. To everyone who applied and participated in the interview process, thank you. Stepping forward matters and does not go unnoticed.

The Seniority List Integration Committee will focus on one of the most critical aspects of this process: advocating for the seniority interests of Allegiant pilots. Their work will directly affect bidding, upgrades, and long-term career opportunities. This effort requires disciplined analysis and a clear commitment to representing our group consistent with established seniority integration law and industry precedent. The members of the Seniority List Integration Committee (SLI@apa2118.org) are:

  • Captain Peter Willums, LAS 320
  • Captain Brad Dugan, FLL 737
  • Captain Paul Lawrimore, VBD 737

The Merger Committee will focus on the broader integration strategy, including how the two operations come together and the associated contract implications. Their work will help shape the path forward and ensure this acquisition delivers value to our pilot group. The members of the Merger Committee (Merger@apa2118.org) are:

  • Captain Sam Stoia, CVG 320
  • Captain Gregory (Jay) Ferraro, PGD 320
  • First Officer David White, IND 320

With both committees now established, the work begins. They will coordinate with legal counsel and advisors and begin the detailed analysis required for both the seniority integration process and overall merger strategy. The Executive Board will ensure they have the resources and support necessary to execute this work effectively.

We have full confidence in those selected and trust their ability to represent this pilot group with professionalism and integrity. Our goal is simple: to ensure this process is handled professionally and that the interests of Allegiant pilots are fully represented. We will continue to provide updates as this work progresses.

We ask all Allegiant pilots to support them in this effort. This is a significant undertaking, and they are taking it on for all of us. Stay informed, stay engaged, and support your fellow pilots who are carrying this responsibility on behalf of the entire group.
 

Fraternally,

Your Executive Board