Cadet program
#21
Hey all, for the Cadets that have already signed (or have previously received) the contract, did you have any mention of the 50k signon bonus on the paperwork? I recently received my welcome email and the contract mentions nothing of the bonus. It also mentions returning the cost of ATP CTP and the type rating if one were to leave before 3 years, however it does not mention what those costs are.
I have done research on the costs and have a general idea, but it just seems like intentional vague language without specifics.
I have done research on the costs and have a general idea, but it just seems like intentional vague language without specifics.
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2018
Posts: 482
Just out of curiosity, how much are they asking for ATP CTP and type? I would caution anyone doing the cadet program. With the massive hiring sprees the legacies are on lately, I would rather find a cheaper way to build your time without committing to a program that forces you to pay back training costs and loans with interest rates if you leave within three years. With the amount of money the legacies are paying two and three year FO's you are essentially lose by being tied to these programs. IMO.
#23
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2019
Posts: 50
Just out of curiosity, how much are they asking for ATP CTP and type? I would caution anyone doing the cadet program. With the massive hiring sprees the legacies are on lately, I would rather find a cheaper way to build your time without committing to a program that forces you to pay back training costs and loans with interest rates if you leave within three years. With the amount of money the legacies are paying two and three year FO's you are essentially lose by being tied to these programs. IMO.
I’m a cadet in the program and debating whether it would be better to go to a 135/regional for say a year get a little experience then apply to either spirit, frontier, or other majors with lower minimums. But then that whole route would probably take 2-3 years before a legacy vs just being at frontier for 3 then a legacy (without considering the QOL that frontier offers). So far I think the 3 years is worth it. Also depending on what happens with Fredricks v Ameriflight maybe that could change.
#24
Almost there
Joined APC: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,051
This has been a big concern of mine. From what I’ve heard the type and atp/ctp come out of your 50k bonus. So you get something like 35k.
I’m a cadet in the program and debating whether it would be better to go to a 135/regional for say a year get a little experience then apply to either spirit, frontier, or other majors with lower minimums. But then that whole route would probably take 2-3 years before a legacy vs just being at frontier for 3 then a legacy (without considering the QOL that frontier offers). So far I think the 3 years is worth it. Also depending on what happens with Fredricks v Ameriflight maybe that could change.
I’m a cadet in the program and debating whether it would be better to go to a 135/regional for say a year get a little experience then apply to either spirit, frontier, or other majors with lower minimums. But then that whole route would probably take 2-3 years before a legacy vs just being at frontier for 3 then a legacy (without considering the QOL that frontier offers). So far I think the 3 years is worth it. Also depending on what happens with Fredricks v Ameriflight maybe that could change.
I don’t know anything about the cadet program or even what’s involved with the ATP/CTP since that portion of my training was so long ago and I haven’t kept up with that. But I left a very well paying part 135 to come here and would do it again. YMMV but for me it has been the correct choice. So unless you intend to fly 135 or 91 in the long term I would stay away from that route as you’re most likely wasting your time and it bears repeating, “seniority is everything.”
#25
This has been a big concern of mine. From what I’ve heard the type and atp/ctp come out of your 50k bonus. So you get something like 35k.
I’m a cadet in the program and debating whether it would be better to go to a 135/regional for say a year get a little experience then apply to either spirit, frontier, or other majors with lower minimums. But then that whole route would probably take 2-3 years before a legacy vs just being at frontier for 3 then a legacy (without considering the QOL that frontier offers). So far I think the 3 years is worth it. Also depending on what happens with Fredricks v Ameriflight maybe that could change.
I’m a cadet in the program and debating whether it would be better to go to a 135/regional for say a year get a little experience then apply to either spirit, frontier, or other majors with lower minimums. But then that whole route would probably take 2-3 years before a legacy vs just being at frontier for 3 then a legacy (without considering the QOL that frontier offers). So far I think the 3 years is worth it. Also depending on what happens with Fredricks v Ameriflight maybe that could change.
For example, three years combined (approximates) at F9 would get you around $311K (90, 106, and 114). We won't be passing a new contract anytime soon in my opinion. At Delta on the A321 around $403K (91, 144, and 168). The first year are pretty much the same, but between second and third year pay, you make around $92K more at Delta. Either way, do what what you want. If you go through the program, then nothing stops you from taking a loan and repaying Frontier when you get your invite to one of Big Three.
Good Luck!
#27
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2019
Posts: 50
Do what you think is best for you! However, I too would not tie into commitments. Delta for example has removed their 1000-hour fixed-wing turbine time requirements. So you might think three years, but in all reality you could get the invite not long after you reach the required minimums. Based on my calculations, you would lose over 90k by staying at Frontier.
For example, three years combined (approximates) at F9 would get you around $311K (90, 106, and 114). We won't be passing a new contract anytime soon in my opinion. At Delta on the A321 around $403K (91, 144, and 168). The first year are pretty much the same, but between second and third year pay, you make around $92K more at Delta. Either way, do what what you want. If you go through the program, then nothing stops you from taking a loan and repaying Frontier when you get your invite to one of Big Three.
Good Luck!
For example, three years combined (approximates) at F9 would get you around $311K (90, 106, and 114). We won't be passing a new contract anytime soon in my opinion. At Delta on the A321 around $403K (91, 144, and 168). The first year are pretty much the same, but between second and third year pay, you make around $92K more at Delta. Either way, do what what you want. If you go through the program, then nothing stops you from taking a loan and repaying Frontier when you get your invite to one of Big Three.
Good Luck!
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2018
Posts: 482
With this being said, do you think going to somewhere such as Ameriflight and building single pilot multi turbine for about a year or less would give enough experience to go to Frontier/Spirit given the current hiring? Then I could skip the commitment from the contract or does that sound like a bad idea.
#29
New Hire
Joined APC: Aug 2021
Posts: 8
Don’t get the math
Do what you think is best for you! However, I too would not tie into commitments. Delta for example has removed their 1000-hour fixed-wing turbine time requirements. So you might think three years, but in all reality you could get the invite not long after you reach the required minimums. Based on my calculations, you would lose over 90k by staying at Frontier.
For example, three years combined (approximates) at F9 would get you around $311K (90, 106, and 114). We won't be passing a new contract anytime soon in my opinion. At Delta on the A321 around $403K (91, 144, and 168). The first year are pretty much the same, but between second and third year pay, you make around $92K more at Delta. Either way, do what what you want. If you go through the program, then nothing stops you from taking a loan and repaying Frontier when you get your invite to one of Big Three.
Good Luck!
For example, three years combined (approximates) at F9 would get you around $311K (90, 106, and 114). We won't be passing a new contract anytime soon in my opinion. At Delta on the A321 around $403K (91, 144, and 168). The first year are pretty much the same, but between second and third year pay, you make around $92K more at Delta. Either way, do what what you want. If you go through the program, then nothing stops you from taking a loan and repaying Frontier when you get your invite to one of Big Three.
Good Luck!
#30
Are you saying that at 1500 hrs you could go straight to Delta and bypass Frontier completely? If a cadet goes from 1500 hr CFI to frontier FO and spends 3 years there then goes to DL (or any legacy) wouldn’t an appropriate apples to apples comparison have to account for what happens in the time span between the 1500 hr mark and DL FO. You calculated the first three years at F9 to the first three years at DL and sure DL is higher. But is DL possible at the same time that F9 becomes possible?
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