They do not. It’s an up-front payment, now $50K. You either pay it back + interest (dumb, but unfortunately just how it is) if you leave. Or you stay for 3 years and you’re off the hook. Anyone hired in 2023 would have the bonus reported to the IRS in 2026 and it would be part of the return policy you file in April 2027 (the $50k plus whatever interest accrued over 3 years, even though you were only given $50K; that’s the contentious part for many)

Again, the interest-bearing part is dumb. But if you have any intent to stay for a while, and don’t touch the money during the 36 months, for better or worse you make an extra $50K. Since it’s only been offered for 3 classes so far, most people here are speculating.

Many people in my class took it. I can’t speak definitively about the next two groups but I believe people are mostly taking it. Word on the street was that you could decline the bonus and request they rewrite the offer letter to omit the bonus language. But someone from a more recent class would have to chime in to confirm.

They’re not pulling credit scores.

Welcome to Frontier, I think putting this "bonus" in the bank is the way to go. Nearly all the FO's I fly with are going to United, it is hilarious except for the fact that they are great people and pilots who will be missed. Some of them have been hear only 7 months or so and already they have CJO's at United! So make sure to update your apps and further your career if that is your aim, or even a consideration because we have an unofficial flow to United. Every one of you who moves on helps the cause of those of us who are staying, so don't feel even the SLIGHTEST bit bad about it.
It's embarrassing that we are here. We are the first major airline to do anything like this bonus BS and to have pilots worrying that their credit will be pulled is so... ghetto for lack of a better adjective.
Oh and if you plan to stay then great! Our cockpit culture is second to none. The operation is like wading through a swamp at times, punctuated with days that are pretty easy breezy. If you are coming from the business jet world (guessing by your handle) you couldn't have picked a better place to transition into airline flying.
And then going straight to United after training...

50k bonuses for new hires instead of coming to the table early and starting negotiations on a new contract that will keep people around for at least 5 years to come.

Love how Barry said we have no pilot hiring issues on the investor call. He also mentioned that contracts and pay aren't too big of an issue right now. How out of touch can you be with your own company?

Either out of touch or trying to save face for the company during a public communication that often dictates future trading trends. Frontier stock was a bloodbath this morning.

Have you seen our new hire classes? Have you seen how little open time and premium time there has been?

How many pilots have we hired in the last year? 400+?

Also, in the call yesterday, Biffle said that with the delays in Airbus deliveries, they might slow down hiring

Well it begs the question,,,,how is Frontier avoiding the problem?

That is true... he said attrition was an issue. I guess I am just out of touch with reality.

Which one? We have a lot of problems.

He did admit that? Just checking to see if that was snarky or not, ha! Hard to tell sometimes.