CantStayAway

Frontier Airlines just announced a PHL base yesterday. Before anyone starts to reconsider coming to Frontier right now here are some things you’ll want to be aware of...

1. They don’t appear to be anywhere near a contract.
2. The company has canceled pilot vacations every month since August (including November).
3. If people keep applying, numbers 1 & 2 will continue.
4. PHL will most likely be a co-domicile with TTN (nothing officially announced about that yet but it already is for FAs and the pilot contract allows it).
5. The company has fired several probationary pilots already this year.
6. The union is actively involved in helping current Frontier pilots move on to better paying airlines because they have conceded that a contract is not in the near future.
7. Hotels are NOT paid for during training.
8. Most PIedmont pilots would take a pay cut year 1 at Frontier (1st year pay is only $39/hr).
9. You will not likely break guarantee when you’re on reserve at Frontier. Reserves are NOT allowed to pick up trips on days off.
10. You’ll lose your guaranteed flow to a much better airline.

Don’t believe everything a recruiter tells you. Friends don’t let friends go to Frontier.

MKUltra

I didn't go there unless there is a contract

flysooner9

Will be interesting to see if there’s any notable attrition to Frontier. Unless your a first year FO at Piedmont I don’t see any draw of going there even if you live in PHL.

Only reason I see to go now is to get on board now with low time before a contract is passed and it becomes way more competitive to get hired much like what happened at spirit. A handful of very inexperienced peole hit the lottery at spirit by getting hired when they were desperate for people on the old contract. Then shortly after being hired they the new rates.

CantStayAway

It’s a gamble though. In spite of Spirit management’s hardball, they ultimately got a deal that was reasonable. Frontier management is much less amicable and are still wanting the pilots to cement themselves at the bottom of the industry for narrow body flying. Until they wake up to the fact that this is unacceptable this is going to be a LONG fight.

Don’t come to Frontier expecting a new contract to save you from 1st year pay. It’s not going to happen.

flysooner9

Not saying it’s right to go to Frontier right now as I agree it hurts your fight for a contract, but even at your current rates, second year FO pay is still higher then third year captain pay at Piedmont.

Lahey

flysooner is the old wise one who hasnt flown the line at pdt yet but does know all about the industry.

flysooner9

I do indeed.

Otterbox

Comparing the lowest pay/ QOL regional in Philly vs the lowest pay Major:

Total compensation for Frontier NHs vs PDTs NHs is less than $3000 over the first 2 years when PDTs bonuses are thrown in. After the start of the third year, Frontier pulls away. Frontier FO pay tops out above PDT CA and the 401K is a little better also. PDT is five years away from even starting full scale contract negotiations. PDT flies worn out old 145s and F9 flies new 320/321...

You may not see folks much beyond their second year at PDT make the jump to Frontier unless upgrade time at F9 drops to 2 years and/or they get a new contract but a PHL base will mean PDT and F9 will be in competition for the same pool of new hires who wish to stay local to the area, and/are older with a shorter career timeline/ or are transitioning to 121 and news a stepping stone airline.

123494

I would try to get some TPIC before making the jump to a Frontier, Spirirt, etc. Having that can set you apart from others applying. Not sure if the A320 type will do you much good

CantStayAway

Lots of Frontier pilots with Tubine PIC and an Airbus type that are trying to get on at legacy airlines. You’re better off being a check airman, chief pilot, or chairman of the scheduling committee if you want your app to pop at a legacy.