Originally Posted by
HerkBier
Hey,
I’m a mil guy new to the 121 world, I had my sites set on the Legacies, but was offered an interview and after some research I am really interested in Frontier.
I’ve read most posts on this forum, but couldn’t find clear answers to the following:
-Denver is the current largest base but will probably shrink in the future? Philadelphia is very junior, but Miami will probably also be junior?
-What’s reserve life and utilization like? Any differences between junior reserve and a senior reserve line? I.e are reserves called out in reverse seniority order? Long and short call? 2 hour call out? Do you guys utilize airport or hotel standby?
-How productive are the trips? We’ve got young kids, so I’d like to prioritize time at home over pay the first couple of years. After 2-3 years, if I bypass upgrade and live in base, what’s a realistic number of nights away? I assume most people are local and there a fewer commuters here than at other airlines?
-Is there any information on expected retirements? I know 2-2.5x growth is planned, but retirements are more certain..
-Any opinions on Frontier for a guy with 25+ years as a final career company? I like the ULCC model and think it’s going to be very successful long term, but am slightly concerned that maybe the ULCC model is ripe for future mergers or corporate reorganizations.. I guess that’s true if any company (I’m sure PanAm guys thought they were safe), is Frontier any more susceptible than a Legacy?
Thanks in advance for your time, I really appreciate and sincerely want to figure out if Frontier is right for the family and me.
1. Yes Denver is the largest, it does seem like once a new base opens they pillage DEN a little bit. I’m not 100% sure what the long terms plan with DEN is. I’m guessing Philly and Miami will stay very junior.
2. Yes, we only have long call and short call. No airport reserve. We have a.m., mid, and pm reserve for short call. Called out in reserve seniority order.
For me reserve was easy, although I came from a regional being stuck on reserve. I only had to deal with it for 2 bid periods, not sure if that will happen for you but things are moving quick again. I would guess most guys block 30-50 hours per month on reserve, some less some maybe more. I sat medium call (when we had it) for a whole month (Nov.) and never got used. Utilization is up and down.
3. Trips are productive, especially with some seniority. Some junior lines are definitely not. We have our fair share of commuters, me being one of them. From my city alone I know at least 15 guys so I bet we are about like everywhere else. I senior in base as a FO, I bid top 10%. Last year I spent 120 days from home, 98% of my trips were commutable. I’ve been bypassing now for about a year because QOL is amazing for me. I have 3 kids too many.
4. Retirements for F9 don’t really pick up for about another five years. Then we average around 50-70 per year. So really nothing crazy there. I ran the numbers once, and came to the conclusion I would retire around 125 after a 35ish year career here.
5. I’ve been happy here. As of now I’m not tempted to move on. Usually LCC and ULCC thrive in a recession. Indigo managers aren’t the best at employee relations, but they know how to make money and be successful. Once they leave or we go public I think customer service, performance, public perception, and finally employee relations will improve. That being said it’s been a great place to work, I think it will only get better in the future.
Good luck!