Pilots' union prevents Allegiant Air from obtaining US residency for foreign hires

NEW YORK, Dec 6 Allegiant Air's pilots' union is hindering the airlines plan to obtain permanent residency for several foreign pilots from Chile, Australia, and Singapore, leaving both the pilots immigration status and the airlines staffing levels uncertain.

The union has refused to certify to the U.S. Department of Labor that the pilot roles, starting at approximately $50,000 per yeararound half the typical pay at other regional airlinesmeet the prevailing wage requirement. This certification is essential for the pilots green card applications.

Instead of moving forward with foreign hires, Teamsters Local 2118 has demanded that Allegiant raise pay to industry standards and improve scheduling to retain pilots who are departing for competing airlines.

Allegiant noted that, like other U.S. carriers, it has faced significant workforce shortages as travel rebounded post-pandemic, compounded by challenges in retaining pilots due to low salaries. To address staffing gaps, the airline expanded recruitment to include pilots under employment-based visa programs.

The union claims Allegiant misrepresented its intent to permanently hire these pilots and argues that the current U.S. pilot shortage no longer justifies pursuing permanent residency for foreign hires. In 2023, the airline struggled to find pilots and started hiring visa pilots from Chile on H-1B1 visas with verbal promises of green cards, offering just $50,000 a year, said Gregory Unterseher, director of the Airline Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Retention has been extremely difficult at such low wages.

Allegiant currently employs around 62 pilots from Chile, Australia, and Singapore on H-1B1 and E-3 visas, representing roughly 4% of its total 1,345-pilot workforce. The airline emphasized that visa-based hires supplement, rather than replace, U.S. pilots.

The union has not provided the letter necessary for permanent labor certification, a critical step allowing employers to hire foreign workers permanently in the U.S. Allegiant warned pilots that this union action could delay their green card processing.

In a letter to pilots, Allegiant stated: The company condemns the unions decision to harm you by refusing to provide the updated letter requested by the Department of Labor.

Allegiant affirmed that all hiring practices comply with federal labor laws, FAA regulations, and existing collective bargaining agreements.

The union indicated that some foreign pilots are being advised not to leave the country amid tightening immigration measures, creating further uncertainty. They were recently told not to leave, as they might face difficulty reentering, Unterseher said.

Rising Pilot Turnover

Attrition at Allegiant is increasing due to low wages, scheduling issues, and a nearly decade-old labor contract. One former pilot noted that first-year first officers often earn less than flight attendants at major airlines or TSA agents.

Despite Allegiants interest in expanding operations, staffing shortages remain a critical barrier. Pilots reported that as new opportunities arise, more are leaving, further intensifying the workforce challenge.

Author: Jackson Miller