We are also hiring a big group of new sim instructors

 

The new one day PT will now be taught by sim instructors and not a DPE. Maybe that's the reason ?

 

They are expecting a large increase in hiring an upgrade. At least that was the plan prior to Covid, and it seems to be making some headway on happening again.

 

I hadn't heard that. That could be

 

We’re growing by a net of 20 something planes next year because of our deferrals this year. The company is banking on a somewhat return to normal by spring break. They have a huge amount of hiring and training to do. This is coming from the check airmen update from the company.

 

Soon as we take our 100/200 whatever the number now is girls and guys of ELS and stop handing out COLA 35s to those who want it I believe it. That being said.. sure looks like it

 

IF things go as the company seems to be planning, I would be willing to bet that COLA (probably unpaid this time) offerings will continue for awhile. All the ELS/COLA-0 pilots will be back and we would likely be greatly overstaffed with the suppressed demand if we continued to bring on new pilots. Remember, it was only up until a couple of years ago that we were hiring, yet we were overstaffed and offering COLAs during the busy summer months. The company has, in the past, hired for future expected need and then voluntarily sheds the workforce to the extent needed or the extent possible. It’s really the only way the company is going to be able to take on the new planes and be spooled up and ready to fly them right away when the demand picks up.

I also found it interesting that the January COLA-35 offerings only had a single month option. I was fully expecting one month and three month options. To me, that says that the company is wanting to keep their staffing flexible and not have additional pilots committed to being out until April.

 

For what it is worth BL told us in ground school during a Q+A that they are considering hiring before bringing back COLA/ELS's. They would rather be overstaffed for a bit and ready for recovery than caught with their pants down. To a follow up question he said if they hire while there are still COLA-0's out there the new hires would begin training with the understanding they too are COLA-0

 

I applied about six months ago and got the email that they are considering starting rehiring in February. I still want to come to Frontier but I'm not going to give up a paying gig for what sounds like benefits and no MMG. Is that the definition of a COLA-0? What's an ELS?

 

Cola-0 essentially is a furlough with the company paying your portion of health benefits. You are entitled to unemployment based on what your state's laws are.

ELS is "empty line status" same benefits as above but with the ability to pick up open time. Must remain current (They'll send you for landings/recurrent training).

TBH by the time you would get employed and hit the line, these programs would probably be gone. The LOA is only in effect until March 31st.

After that it's real furloughs or something different all together.... or maybe an extension?