PUNTA GORDA — Allegiant pilot Jim Clark believes passengers don’t know that some of the routes the airline flies out of the Punta Gorda Airport could be shut down if union negotiations fail.
Clark, 65, is set to retire Monday after flying for 21 years.
On Friday, he joined dozens of pilots from the Allegiant Pilots Association Teamsters outside the Punta Gorda Airport.
Nearly all held signs alerting travelers about their demands and that the routes could be at risk.
Travelers honked their horns in support of pilots holding signs reading “Allegiant! It’s time to invest in your pilots” — “Buckle up Allegiant, No more free ride” — “Contract Now Industry standard for Allegiant pilots” and “Allegiant pilots ready to strike.”
“We are trying to highlight the fact that the routes here are in jeopardy if we don’t get our contract done — because pilots aren’t going to stay here,” Clark said. “They are going to find other jobs in other places.”
Clark said pilots travel from their homes in Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Englewood, North Port and Sarasota to fly Allegiant jetliners in and out of Punta Gorda.