During a “practice picket” on Tuesday at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, Allegiant Air pilots demonstrated their readiness for a potential strike as contract negotiations with the airline continue to stall.

• About 40 to 50 people, including pilots and flight attendants, gathered outside the airport Tuesday to raise public awareness about ongoing contract negotiations between Allegiant Air and its pilots, who are represented by Teamsters Local 2118.

“We’re currently in negotiations trying to get a new contract for improved working conditions and improved pay,” said JR Lynch, chief of staff of the negotiating committee for Teamsters Local 2118, which represents all 1,400 Allegiant pilots across 22 bases in the United States.

The union claims Allegiant pilots are the lowest-paid Airbus pilots among major carriers, despite the airline’s financial performance. According to Lynch, the pilots’ current contract became amendable in 2021, and negotiations have been under federal mediation for nearly 24 months.

• Lynch said the company’s offered 50% raises would still leave Allegiant pilots earning 30% less than their peers at other airlines. The union has been negotiating this particular contract for almost four years.

The demonstration at VPS was part of nationwide picketing efforts at Allegiant bases across the country, from Des Moines, Iowa, to Sarasota, Florida. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport serves as one of Allegiant’s crew bases, with approximately 40 pilots stationed there.

Lynch said a potential strike “would be a major economic blow” to the airport and community, particularly during the busy season. However, he emphasized the picketing was not related to the local airport’s operations but rather the airline’s company-wide negotiations.

• He indicated more pickets could occur at the location, especially as the travel season approaches.

Flight attendants, who recently secured their own contract with Allegiant, joined the pilots in solidarity during Tuesday’s demonstration. Under the Railway Labor Act, which governs airline contracts and typically sees agreements lasting 3-5 years before becoming amendable, the National Mediation Board must release the pilots before they can legally strike. 

The practice picket serves as preparation for a potential strike while informing customers about possible future travel disruptions.