Negotiating Committee Update – January 30, 2026
Fellow Pilots,
A great deal has transpired over the past several weeks regarding negotiations, not the least of which was a change within the Negotiating Committee. These changes have brought a fresh set of eyes and perspectives to the team. However, something that has not changed and continues to be true is that we are all Allegiant pilots, and we share the same frustrations this group has collectively experienced over the last several years. Although there was a partial change in personnel, we intend to build on the foundation built by the previous members of the team by fighting for and achieving a contract worthy of this pilot group.
As was mentioned in the previous negotiating update the NC held mediated meetings with the company on January 14 and 15 in Las Vegas. At those sessions, the Company expressed an interest in meeting more frequently, to include outside of mediation, with the stated goal of reaching a tentative agreement in the near term. This is welcome news! More frequent meetings are a must if we want to close out these negotiations. However, make no mistake, this team remains deliberate in pursuing a collective bargaining agreement that reflects the hard work and dedication this pilot group deserves.
To that end, we will meet the company February 9-12 at Allegiant Headquarters in Las Vegas. These meetings will focus primarily on PBS and Section 15 (Scheduling) in hopes of breaking through the deadlock on the outstanding items in those sections. All parties agree that resolving the outstanding scheduling issues is a critical step toward achieving a tentative agreement and establishing a clear path forward. That is what we intend to do.
The last few weeks since the formation of the new team, has been spent getting the new members of the team (Captain John McDonald, Captain Scott Whitman, and Captain Byron Girmscheid) up to speed, to include a thorough briefing on our extensive negotiating history, detailed procedures on NavBlue PBS technical operations, relevant industry PBS agreements, and other negotiation-specific housekeeping items.
Shortly before our last mediated negotiation session, Allegiant announced the acquisition of Sun Country Airlines. We understand this announcement has generated numerous questions, many of which will be answered by Union Leadership over the next few weeks. However, from a negotiations standpoint, the Company has expressed an interest in achieving a standalone Allegiant collective bargaining agreement prior to any joint collective bargaining processes with our brothers and sisters at Sun Country.
What does this mean for Allegiant pilots? We believe this development may serve as a strong motivator for the Company to negotiate in good faith and finally fulfill the commitments repeatedly made to this pilot group. As a team, we share varying degrees of cautious optimism regarding the transaction. We are standing by to work with the company to craft an agreement that works for both the company and this pilot group.
Look for our next update following the in-person negotiating sessions scheduled for February 9-12. You are the lifeblood of our industry-leading airline, and your continued commitment to the operation deserves to be recognized and compensated accordingly. This team will fight to ensure that happens.
Below you will find introductions to the new members of the Negotiating Committee. If you have questions or concerns, please email negotiations@apa2118.org.
In Unity,
Negotiating Committee
Allegiant Air Pilots
Teamsters APA Local 2118
Captain Scott Whitman
My name is Captain Scott Whitman and I am one of the newest members of the Negotiating Committee and a twenty-two year veteran at Allegiant. I have been a previous Negotiating Chairman and I am familiar with the process and the task ahead. I look forward to representing the Allegiant Pilots and achieving the industry standard contract that we have fought for and deserve.
Captain Byron Girmscheid
My name is Captain Byron Girmscheid, and I have been entrusted by our newly elected Executive Board to serve as a Negotiator in the fight for the contract we all deserve as Allegiant Pilots. I have proudly served this pilot group in multiple roles within our Local Union, including six years as a Steward. I also bring over ten years of experience at Allegiant, having flown as a First Officer and Captain on the MD-80 and currently as a Captain on the Airbus. Throughout my career here, I have had the opportunity to work across nearly every corner of our operation, with bases in VBD, VPS, and now AVL. I am energized by the newly formed team and cautiously optimistic about what lies ahead. I take this responsibility seriously and will always fight for this pilot group. Your professionalism, dedication, and commitment to this career continue to inspire me, and I am honored to represent you at the negotiating table. Speaking for myself, I believe this team brings a wide range of perspectives and technical expertise that will be invaluable as we move forward.
Captain John McDonald
My name is John McDonald, and I am a captain based in Cincinnati. I began my career with Allegiant in August of 2015, and I am honored to serve on this negotiating team. I am fully committed to representing you, my fellow pilots, and to fighting for the contract we have earned and deserve. Your voices have been heard, and my responsibility is to carry them forward. This has been a long and hard-fought battle, driven by the dedication of many before me. While I am new to this team, I share that same commitment and will continue the work necessary to see this effort through. I understand that our airline and our operation are unique—but our jobs as aviators are not. We deserve a contract that stands on par with our brothers and sisters across the industry. You recognize that, and so do we. Together, we will secure a contract we deserve and one we can be proud of.