PCL (Now ATN) once stated that you could double pilot pay at the Tran, and presumably a lot of other airlines, and you would not significantly increase the CASM. It was an incredibly small number. Since I am of the belief that ATN wouldn't lie to me, I accept his numbers. But, if I accept his numbers, then it would also mean that the pilot pay being "depressed" at Allegiant is not the key to their success - since according to ATN (and I would presume ALPA - probably where he got the data) - that pilot pay as a percentage of CASM is not a huge driver. So, it would appear that Allegiant offers pilots enough money to do out and backs, and that the pilot pay issue is a function of a company not having to pay more than they have to for a given job...which is what you do when you own a company. Also - perhaps the pilots recieved an award of stock similiar to what the SWA guys got when they were new and not an industry leading contract? If that is the case, the prudent management of Allegiant is certainly helping that aspect of their compensation package.