Allegiant Air CEO Releases Video Statement About 60 Minutes Report
One of the great things we enjoy in the tri-state are multiple direct flights to Florida through Allegiant Air. You don't have to spend 8-12 hours in a car to go enjoy some sun. Just hop a flight and within a couple hours, you are there.
We decided to take our daughter to Disney this summer. It's a short trip so we didn't want the hassle of driving and decided to fly. Naturally, I booked Allegiant. Then, earlier this week 60 Minutes released a special report about the budget airline.
In the report, it was stated, "For the past seven months, we have been scrutinizing 'service difficulty reports' filed by Allegiant with the FAA. They are official, self-reported records of problems experienced by their aircraft. What we found raised some disturbing questions about the performance of their fleet. Between January 1st, 2016 and the end of last October, we found more than 100 serious mechanical incidents, including mid-air engine failures, smoke and fumes in the cabin, rapid descents, flight control malfunctions, hydraulic leaks and aborted takeoffs."
Two words: holy. crap. I panicked! Should I cancel my flight? I DID buy the insurance. Then I took a step back and thought back to the multiple times I'd flown Allegiant in the past without incidence at all. And, now after this report all airlines (especially Allegiant) will be on their toes.
Today, I received an email with a video from Allegiant Air CEO, Maury Gallagher. I can only assume this was sent to previous and upcoming passengers as the video is Unlisted on Youtube.
So, does it make me feel any better that I received his video? Not really... I'm not really scared to fly but it will be in the back of my mind. Maybe I'll be the one-hundred-millionth passenger and get a free cup of water or free trip to the bathroom or something!
What about you? Will you be flying Allegiant in the future?