carolinaflyer

Hey APC crew...looking for some input from the newest Frontier guys. I'm with Mesa now and am hoping for an F9 interview and was wondering if some of you newbies could pass along your experiences thus far! How long is the training, did it all take place in Denver, what are the sims like, where are guys from your classes being assigned after IOE, how long are you looking at reserve in the given bases, etc?? I'm looking to make the most informed decision possible but being an east coast guy...some would say Spirit or JetBlue would be better options, but I believe in Frontier and believe they have an extremely bright future of which I really want to be a part!!! Any other info you can add would be greatly appreciated! Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

-CF

MistyFAC

I'm not a newbie, but I can hopefully provide some perspective. Training is conducted in Denver and it lasts about 6 weeks. Depending on how they can schedule the sims and IOE it could take a little longer. The sims that we used to use are at the Denver United Training Center, however we have a new sim that we can use exclusively and I'm pretty sure that's up and running. Right now you probably will get based in Chicago right out of training but the new hires seem to be able to bid right back to Denver. An east coast base is probable as it has been rumored for sometime and Indigo is looking to grow the airline in different places, the east coast being one of them. Rumors are Philadelphia is a target area. Reserve is going to be awhile right now. Chicago is running around 3-4 years and Denver is about 5-6 years. That could change with the growth plans but at this point in time, that's about where it sits.

I know I get heated when I defend Frontier pilots but it's only because we care very much about our airline and are extremely dedicated to the profession and making Frontier a good place to work.

I hope I answered your questions. If you have any more, feel free to PM me. Good luck in your quest!

WantTheJob

Hey Misty,

I am interviewing in mid December and completely stoked about the chance of working at Frontier. I have read the normal interview feedback on the other Frontier Hiring thread, but I am curious if there is anything you can add to help me get an even better understanding of the culture and what the interviewers are looking for. I know its not always cut and dry but any help would be appreciated.

I am very much looking to be a lifer at F9 since the exciting new ownership change is taking place. I think you guys are going to skyrocket very soon.

Thanks in Advance

carolinaflyer

Great info Misty, much appreciated. Can you shed any light on the reserve lifestyle? Length of sequences, call out times, are the reserves being used or do they sit around a lot, basic QOL?? Thanks again!!

Dukeuno

Hey guys I have an interview coming up in December as well. I am excited about the opportunity to get on with an airline that I believe is going to see growth since they are now not owned by Republic. I do have one question. I can take a pay hit for a year, but I need to be close to what I make right now in year 2. Can you make around 80K if you bust your ass in year two or at least in the mid 70's? Thanks for the info and hopefully I will be posting on here in the next 3 or 4 weeks that I am now a proud employee of Frontier. Good luck to everyone interviewing and if you and we will see you there in a few weeks.

MistyFAC

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I've been pretty busy lately. I'd like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving as well as answer your questions to the best of my ability.

Wantthejob:

As far as what Frontier is looking for, I can't really answer that for the interviewers. All I can say is that they probably are looking for someone who they can live with for 4 days at a time and will make good decisions along with exercising good judgement. If you can convey that you are excited to join the team and posess the above qualities I think 95% of the battle is won. I wish you luck in getting the job and I do agree with you that we are on a path to become an even better place to be.

Carolinaflyer:

Reserve is "Short," "Medium," and "Long" call. The times to respond to the airport are 2 hrs for Short, 8 hrs for Medium, and 12 hrs for Long. Within Short call reserve there are different blocks where you are available for callout. These are:

RSV A is from 0400 – 1430: Latest release is 1800
RSV B is from 0800 – 1830: Latest release is 2200
RSV C is from 1200 – 2230: Latest release is 0200
RSV D is from 1700 – 2400: Latest release is 0700 (except 0900 for CDO’s)
RSV E is from 1900 – 0200: Latest release is 0900 (except 1100 for CDO’s)

Reserves in Chicago generally don't get used as much as reserves in Denver however scheduling has become a little more creative in utilizing Chicago reserve pilots. I would say an avg. for Chicago would be around 20-30 hrs flown per month. Denver varies depending on what reserve block you have.
I think overall you can bet on reserve being more civilized than the regionals where you were just completely abused.

Dukeuno:

First and foremost, we are not completely sold off yet until everything is finalized in December. That being said, we are on the right track to have that accomplished. Second, as far as pay is concerned, it's goin to be tough to make 80k your second year unless things really pick up and you hold a line. The problem stems from being on reserve and only getting guarantee pay. If you were on reserve and trying to make the most money, I would try and hold Denver as I think they fly much more. Not only are they used more but they have a larger well to pick up trips from. If you are reserve you can "Aggressive Bid" a trip for the following day and possibly make a little extra money that way.

Good luck to you all and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Also I'm sure Zooropa or any other Frontier Pilot would be more than happy to help. Again, good luck!

MistyFAC

zoooropa

Making 70 or 80k in year two would be tough. If you are still on reserve it would be impossible. Current hiring projections of about 100 more pilots by summer might get you off reserve if you are hired in the next two classes and you end up in CHI or new East Coast base.

There are ways to make extra money (flying over vacation, agreeing to JA, voluntary JA, credit over 82 per month, etc) but most of these tools work for line holders.

Best of luck to you regardless.

FAULTPUSH

Reserve pilots do have the advantage of having 75 hours guaranteed credit before they add to it with VJAs and JAs, whereas lineholders would have to fly most of those 75 hours as a starting point, which only leaves 25 hours of flying for VJAs and JAs. During the "happy time" I went 3 years averaging 140 hours per month credit on about 60-75 hours of block. That's become much tougher now with the company adopting a more sensible approach to the VJA/JA process, but even in October I was at 105 hours credit on 23 block (which was quite surprising to me after ZERO luck with VJA and JA in the last 4 months of last year).

In a nutshell, I think a new pilot based in Denver could easily average 100 hours per month if they don't care about having any plans for their time off, especially during summer. I'm personally trying to move on to having a life beyond that.

zoooropa

Yeah there was a period there when RAH was clueless and a handful of pilots were feasting on extra credit. The first christmas when we had MKE open they were JA'ing for turns and adding 20 hours of credit incentive at 150%. PR returned and things immediately changed back to pre RAH, but it was fun while it lasted.

carolinaflyer

Can't thank you all enough for the intel!! Sounds like the airline that was previously best suited for a Midwest/West Coaster is really becoming much more viable for us East Coast guys. My fingers are crossed and hope to meet many of you all soon!!!

-CF