RickGassko

I believe (and someone can correct me if I’m wrong) but isn’t there is a way to get below the 50 hrs. If you are at say 55 hrs and you drop a 20 hour 4 day; for example, it will drop it down to 35. After that point FLICA won’t allow you to drop anymore.

Xdashdriver

I tried that during MOT once and it denied me because I would have gone below 50 hours.

RickGassko

Thanks! I have never tried it, but someone had told me you could do it. Oh well so much for that.

CAirBear

Absolutely. Until people experience the ability to drop, they have no idea how incredible and game changing it is for your life.

For December I am going on a cruise. It took ZERO effort to make happen. Dropped it all (except my trip over Xmas - no complaints) and built my schedule to now have 12 off in a row where I will go have a great time.

If I were being forced to still credit a certain amount, I really don’t know if I could have pulled it off.

As it is now, I have 19 off and crediting 65 hours. Sure, I am giving up a few hours of pay, but ask me if I care while I’m enjoying my unlimited drinks package 😆

I am also first year pay, so dropping at $58 an hour isn’t that noticeable or makes a ton of difference.

I tell everyone I know to come here if you care about flexibility and lifestule. I left a competing Airbus LCC (not Frontier) to come here and I couldn’t be any happier. I will also had old company just opened a crew base in my hometown. Ask me if I care. 100% zero regrets.

V1 McFlyerson

Ouch.

I would like to be able to drop to zero at Frontier because some months I would like to credit zero. I get 18-20 days off a month at Frontier and credit the minimum 70 (on the six 70 hour months) and that includes a 10-12 day off run, the way that I set it up. I could go on a cruise every month if I wanted to.

Make no mistake, at F9 you get your line, and then there's:

- Monthly Open Time Drop
- Monthly Open Time
- Mini Daily Open Time
- Daily Open Time

There are all of these opportunities to hack up the schedule.

The bottom line is that not being able to finish the month with less than 70 (60) or reduce FLICA below 50 hours does not in any way prevent being able to setup 70 hours and 18+ days off in my not-all-that-senior FO experience.

Broxis

I think I will throw in another vote for NK. I know your friend doesn't think he will ever drop to zero and that he thinks the contracts are similar (they mostly are). Its been said before but trust me when I say that at some point he will appreciate that the option is there. You never know when you just need a big ol break to do something great with the family and just decide to work 1-2 trips for the whole month.

V1 McFlyerson

Absolutely. It’d be nice to do a couple 3 days once in a while. NK, assuming you’re not swimming in debt, also offers much better standard of living protection should you go out on LTD.

Voski

What kind of LTD does Spirit and/or Frontier offer? Is it own-occupation at each place (i.e. lose your medical, keep getting paid)?

BKbigfish

NK

Own occupation (pays out to age 65 if unable to hold medical), health insurance at company rates for 5 years, 60% of prior year’s W2 earnings, company pays for the core benefit ($5k/month) with option to buy up to $10k/month additional for a total max benefit of $15k/month. Benefit to buying up is that the employee paid portion ($10k/month) is tax free which is nice.

Must have improvements for the next contract:

1) No future income offsets
2) Continued company DC contributions to retirement age
3) Health insurance at company rates to retirement age
3) Benefit should be based on 60% of highest of prior 3 years W2

Qotsaautopilot

there ya have it. Agree 100%