F9 Cadet Program
 

While researching cadet programs, I came across the F9 one, and am trying to gain some insight. If you’ve completed all of your training, do you qualify to join? Their website says you must complete training at an ATP flight school, but doesn’t mention about if you’ve gotten all of your ratings already. What kind of duties do you do as a cadet, and what is the time commitment to the airline once you do qualify to get hired as an FO? For someone who has applied, what was the turn around time from applying to hearing back about the status of your application?

A far as I understand, you're not eligible. This is a mutually beneficial agreement between ATP and F9. ATP gets exclusivity on the Cadet program and is able to advertise it and bring in more students. In exchange, F9 gets a steady flow of applicants.

Ahhh, bummer. In that case, I do qualify for an RATP, and am nearing 1000 hours. I know Frontier advertises 1500 on their website, but do you know if they’re taking people at 1000 like some other ULCCs?

Welcome to F9. 1000 hrs is plenty of time. Just sign on the dotted line. 🤣

They've taken some R-ATP's through their relationship with Purdue and Embry-Riddle. But not any others that I'm aware of.

I know of 2 personally who were hired with RATP outside of those universities or special programs. However, they bent over backwards to get on Frontier's radar by consistently showing up at events, talking with recruiters/chief pilots face to face etc. It by no means was apply on airline apps and be invited to an interview a week later.

Frontier recruiters won't just pick your app up on their own with an RATP unless you are military or joining the rotor RATP transition program.

You can get hired with an RATP, but you have to actually have the certificate, not just qualify for it. i.e. you have to pay for the ATP-CTP, take the written and take the practical test somewhere before you will be considered. The only pilots hired without a certificate in hand are the program pilots, at this point. As someone else has said, those lower on the experience scale will need face time with a recruiter, and a strong training history in order to be considered.

F9 Cadet Program
 

I have most of my ratings (everything except MEI) earned outside of ATP (all Part 61 training). I have ~750 Hrs and went ahead and applied to the program to see what they said. Worst case, rejection or no response.

I went ahead and applied for the program. after about 3-4 weeks I was asked to do a video interview (about 5 pre-recorded questions). Didn't hear anything for about 3 weeks. This week, I received an email that F9 is now extending virtual invitations to candidates outside of ATP Flight School. I responded with my interest to continue and haven't heard back. With all the holidays, I don't expect to hear back until early January regarding next steps.

They said my next step would be a virtual interview. Not sure how it will differ from the one that I already did with F9.