While I know it’s not our job as pilots to make sure the airline functions properly and/or is profitable, I’d be lying if I didn’t like to think I could offer a suggestion here and there that might be of some use. And I’m sure many others have thought of ways as well. With that,

can anyone explain the cost to the company for allowing gate agents and ground crews (contractor personnel) to have standby flight benefits on ID90? Does a standby seat really cost the company that much in fuel? It would seem that perk might retain a few people and reduce turnover. It could even be offered as an incentive after 6 months of employment.

 

I have no idea those costs... but I am pretty sure the money we lose to delays, cancellations, poor customer service , and bad publicity isn't worth what it costs to hire in house gate agents and CS people who actuslly have skin in the game.

It feels like almost every flight I am writing a station report or email about an agent. Which in my mind is all I can do, unless I try and climb the corporate ladder which I prefer not to do lol

 

They have benefits. The same as we do. I know one who works in Atlanta and she told me. I didn’t realize they get travel. So that’s a good thing. It’s only on us but it’s the same benefits.

 

Things that will actually improve this place:

-Clean house. Get management that cares and is willing to oversee the frontlines of this operation and demand accountability when they see a station/agents slacking off, treating customers poorly, or being unsafe. I cannot imagine the collective fuel we waste in a day, sitting short of a gate while the ramp is relaxing in the breakroom or the gate agent is on their phone and not down driving the jetbridge. On another note, get our agents some decent uniforms and enforce wearing them. ULCC does not stand for ultra-low class, I am tired of agents looking like they are on their way to a yoga session.
-Get wifi. I doubt we lose much business over this. However, the lack of just adds to the overall suck of flying F9.
-Figure out how to return aircraft to service after mainenance in a timely manner. So many delays just waiting to send WB numbers because we are out of service and MX was done 15 minutes ago.

I could list so much more, but honestly, it is just wasted keystrokes.

 

Uniforms for gate agents is huge... Why am I supposed to try and look professional when the person representing OUR company (not even on FRONTIER payroll) is in a dirty polo with wrinkles and their stomach falling out from it or just downright treating customers horrendously, our company needs Disney to come in like Spirit did and help clean up our customer service issue. EVERYONE in the company, not just frontline workers. Our management obviously doesn't understand what good CS is and the fact that good CS and employee treatment is how Southwest got as big as they were (No airline seems to remember this).

 

Ive been mistreated by many AA gate agents, as a former WO pilot. The fact that they were well dressed didn’t make me feel any better.

 

Frontier pays captains to loiter around gates to make sure everyone is using Lido like we are the ones needing looking after. Maybe they should spend a few bucks to do a little quality control on contract employees such as gate agents and rampers, etc. I think that is a much bigger bang for the buck.

 

Not even close to the truth.

 

Did the LCAs volunteer?

 

So the three times I’ve been approached it’s been people doing this on their own for free?