Communication Committee Update – September 6, 2025

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Brothers and Sisters,

We built this airline. A decade ago, most people had never even heard of Allegiant. Through our hard work and unity, we helped turn it into a recognizable name, an airline families rely on. That pride should have carried us forward. Instead, it has been squandered.

Mismanagement at the Top

Time after time, Allegiant executives chose to spend hundreds of millions on ill-advised side projects instead of investing in the airline. Over $1 billion was funneled into failed ventures like the Sunseeker Resort, which was then sold at a 70% loss, while those responsible for safeguarding the future of our airline left the controls unattended. The Sunseeker investment alone could have funded industry-standard pilot pay and working conditions for many years, yet our pilots are nearly 5 years into negotiations with no new contract.

Now, the same executives who grossly mismanaged our airline claim that they “can’t afford” a fair, industry-parity contract. Let’s be clear: Allegiant Pilots are among the worst paid in the industry, by a wide margin, while our company clearly has the ability to afford a new contract. The math simply doesn’t lie—but management and their excuses do.

“Bankruptcy” – The tired and lazy battle cry of inept managers

The company says our contract proposal would “bankrupt” them. That is beyond absurd.

If Allegiant truly cannot afford a fair contract while our pilots continue to deliver industry-leading performance and profits, then this management team has proven it is not competent nor worthy to lead this airline. Period.

Let’s not forget:

  • The same executives responsible for the billion dollar Sunseeker debacle still received millions in bonuses. Interestingly, there were no claims of “bankruptcy” then.
  • Allegiant took millions in taxpayer grants during COVID to keep the airline afloat and preserve jobs — and they still furloughed pilots anyway. Real leaders eat last.
  • They’ve enjoyed nearly 5 years of discounted pilot labor while wasting profits — even after the Union saved them from total operational collapse with the retention bonus. Enough is enough.
  • This is not about affordability. This is about priorities—and they have chosen everything but their most important asset — pilots. Without you, there are no flights, there are no ticket sales, there is no profit, there are no executive bonuses. Without your labor, this airline is completely grounded.

Vote of No Confidence – It Matters

We have seen enough mismanagement and abuse to know that a leadership change is necessary to save our airline. Our Vote of No Confidence (VONC) sends an undeniable message to the public:

  • We reject excuses
  • We reject a lack of accountability
  • We reject financial mismanagement
  • We reject substandard pay and working conditions

Given the current state of affairs, we must take the difficult but necessary step to do as our brothers and sisters at American Airlines and Southwest before us. VONC is an effective statement to the public that the same pilots who deliver industry-leading operational performance and profits demand accountability from the managers who benefit from our efforts.

Stand Together. Stand Strong. 

This is our moment to unite. Division is exactly what management wants—it buys them time. But together, as one, we cannot be ignored.

Brothers and Sisters, our actions from here on out are not just symbolic—it’s a declaration. A declaration that Allegiant pilots will not tolerate poor leadership. A statement to the public that we will no longer be taken advantage of. Our profession demands honesty, respect, and true leadership. The Board of Directors, CEO, and senior leaders of this airline have demonstrated a lack of all 3.

Management supports a Union decertification drive, yet the only ones who need to be “decertified” are the failed executives and directors blindly leading our airline off a cliff. Their time is up. Your voice and vote matters. Stay focused. Stay united. Ignore their fuzzy math. Trust the real facts.

In solidarity,

Captain Robert Skiles
Communications Committee Chairman
Teamsters Local 2118