From College to Right Seat in Insufficient Time

Nevada-based Allegiant Travel Company is an integrated travel concern comprising ultra-low-cost U.S. air-carrier Allegiant Air and Allegiant Vacations.

Allegiant serves primarily leisure travelers, particularly those journeying between residences in colder northern climes and warm-weather tourist destinations such as Punta Gorda, Tampa Bay, Las Vegas, Orlando, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Allegiant also serves smaller destinations historically underserved by major airlines.

On 25 April 2023, Allegiant Travel Company announced the launch of its Accelerate Pilot Pathway, a nascent initiative ostensibly benefiting university students pursuing pilot careers with major airlines.

For purpose of making its Accelerate Pilot Pathway program available to college sophomores, juniors, and seniors,  Allegiant is partnering with universities offering Part 141 flight training programs—such as Purdue University, Kent State University, and Western Michigan University. Cadets enrolled in the program will be assigned an Allegiant mentor by whom they will be guided throughout their educational odysseys.

The aviation industry—depending on the information source consulted—may or may not be experiencing a shortage of qualified pilots. By providing mentorship, conditional employment as an Allegiant first officer, and assistance with regulatory credentials, Allegiant aspires to see its Accelerate Pilot Pathway program streamline newly-minted aviators’ transitions from academia to real-world flying in the employ of a Part 121 air-carrier.

Allegiant vice president of flight crew services Tyler Hollingsworth stated: "We are thrilled to launch the Accelerate Pilot Pathway program and partner with universities across the country. This program provides an excellent opportunity for talented and motivated students to pursue their dream of becoming a first officer with a major airline without the need to fly for a regional carrier. We look forward to welcoming our future first officers and supporting them through their training and career with Allegiant."

Upon entering their senior collegiate years, students participating in Allegiant’s Accelerate Pilot Pathway program may be hired on as cadets and provided conditional job offers as Allegiant first officers. Cadets will enjoy Allegiant employee benefits such as pass travel on Allegiant flights, participation in visits to Allegiant's headquarters in Las Vegas, and access to Allegiant's training centers. Whether or not they receive pay, health-insurance, and retirement benefits remains unknown. Once cadets reach the FAA-prescribed number of flight hours and earn the requisite certifications and ratings, Allegiant will sponsor their attendance of an Airline Transport Pilot Certification course—upon completion of which cadets will join Allegiant as first officers.

The program got underway at Purdue University in April 2023 and Allegiant has commenced recruiting future first officers from the university's aviation program. Partnerships with additional universities are currently being struck and will develop throughout the coming summer.

FMI: www.allegiantair.com