Sign on/retention bonus - Page 6 - Airline Pilot Central Forums

#51

CRJdriver2017 , 11-15-2022 06:33 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Looks like aero crew news posted this today. The comments are what we al expect.

#52

fcoolaiddrinker , 11-15-2022 06:33 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Personally I wouldn’t sign that. Your going to make low six figures without a document hanging over your head for three years.

#53

planejoe , 11-15-2022 06:36 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiffleBalls

We had an two year employment contract here a few years back. I don't believe anyone who left before the two years had to pay a dime of it back. I have never seen one of these contracts enforced, has anyone else? Go on take the money and run... WOO WHO WHO!

AA regionals definitely want it back. Friend left there immediately got a legal letter requesting it back within a certain amount of days or else it accrues interest at 6% plus legal fees.

#54

brocklee9000 , 11-15-2022 06:44 AM

I Pass the Butter

Quote:

Originally Posted by planejoe

AA regionals definitely want it back. Friend left there immediately got a legal letter requesting it back within a certain amount of days or else it accrues interest at 6% plus legal fees.

I don’t see anything in the note about interest or percentages. It says if you leave on or after 3 year mark, paid in full. Leave for any reason prior, full repayment. Expected in 5 days or else considered a loan in default.

#55

Aero1900 , 11-15-2022 06:50 AM

Gets Weekends Off

The only way I wouldn't take that free pile of cash is if I was absolutely certain I wasn't going to stay.

If I was just using Frontier for type and was going to try for United immediately, then yes, I wouldn't take it.

But if you think that maybe you'd like to stay here, you'd really kick yourself for leaving 35k behind.

And yes, you will have to repay it if you bail. Don't be stupid. Frontier isn't just going to let you keep if it ig you don't hold up your end of the bargain.

This has been going on at the regionals for over a decade. Not sure why this is all a new, complicated mystery for everyone??

And again I'll point out: 35k is what I made at Frontier my first year. New hires are hitting the damn jackpot now. 35k bonus, $90/ hour, paid hotels, and the fastest growing airline in the country.

#56

Aero1900 , 11-15-2022 07:12 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiffleBalls

Well Aero, he was referring to the "WHY" are people leaving question in a previous post, went Socratic with it and offered facts backed up by empirical data. WHY do you try to deflate anyone who says things about Frontier Airlines that are unflattering but true on this forum? We've been through this. This company needs to change and this forum is on of the best vehicles we have to raise issues between ourselves and directly to management. A "Once in a career hiring environment" is not the reason 8 year captains are leaving. This 35K bonus is just another band aid on an airline that does not seem to have a grip on reality. Through the systemic incompetence of the entire operation Frontier creates a work environment (while on the ground for the most part) that the majority of pilots I fly with do not like and treat our customers in a manner that we are ashamed of. We fly for an airline that scams it's customers for profit; who wants to be a part of that? Many other airlines offer an opportunity to fly for a company where they can take pride in the service provided their customers - which is a huge thing - as well as better pay and a more professional work environment, period. They are going to have to compete with other airlines in this arena and they just haven't gotten that fact through their heads. We are lucky to have a fantastic pilot group here which means a lot to me and If we don't have a serious accident seniority will accrue rapidly, we hope. After those two things though, what? The operational challenges we face every single day are just getting old. A million little things that add up and make it feel like we are hacking our way through dense jungle to do our jobs instead of walking down a cleared path. If they want pilots to stay they are going to have to pay them, and pay them well. Take the pay bumps at the regionals for reference - eventually there will be no other choice but to pay pilots to stay. This "training pipeline" they are talking about is a joke. It is just another bad idea in the long line of bad ideas management seems to gestate regularly. El Gipple presented that data to assert that something is broken, and it needs to be fixed. I want things to change at Frontier, you're trying to squelch those that voice their desire for that. WHY?

You're going to hate this answer.

If you hate the way the place is run that much, you should go work somewhere else.

This is a ULCC now. Been that way for about 10 years now. It is what it is. It's a ULCC man....
Management teams come and go. I think Biffle and the Boys are team number 7. I'm going to be here long after they are gone. We might stay a sh*tty ULCC for another 30 years, we may not. We might merge, we might totally change. Who knows.

I don't run the airline. I don't make customer service decisions. I fly the plane, get paid and go home to my family. I try to make the most positive impact possible at work. I take care of my crew and passengers the best I can but that's it. I don't run the airline.

I would like to refer you to my answer to you earlier in the Nov 28th class thread

#57

Stayontarget , 11-15-2022 07:20 AM

Almost there

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Gipple

That is "THE" question that any prospective applicant or new-hire should be asking.

The Company publicly portrays a situation where Frontier is attracting all of the pilots (and more) that it needs. This is technically true, but retention is the issue. Granted, unless the name of the Company is United, Delta, or Fed Ex, most airlines are experiencing problems with attrition.

But here at Frontier:
After years of resistance, why has Frontier recently decided it was in their best interest to provide hotel rooms for new-hires.

Frontier followed that decision with one raising 1st year pay to $75.00/hr then a few months later to $90/hr or whatever it is now.

Now a cash bonus to new-hires in an effort to keep them on property for 3 years.

So.......
Why is it that 244 F/O's have resigned in the last 2 years? Their average longevity? 2.4 years. For perspective, in that same period of time Frontier has hired 657 pilots yet the seniority list has grown by just 347 pilots (26 retirements and a few terminations/deaths).

And why have 17 CAPT's resigned in the last 7 months? Their average longevity? 8.1 years! - One of these was a 51 year old CAPT with 9 years of longevity who also happened to be a member of the negotiating committee that negotiated the 2019 CBA

Why is there suddenly a trend of Frontier pilots retiring early?

Interesting that a number (not insignificant) of those who have resigned this year point to the surprise closure of the ORD domicile as the reason they chose to move on? Also high on the list is concern over the senseless sick call section 19's earlier in the year.

It also seems kind of odd that 80% of the initial Purdue University new-hire class no longer work at Frontier? One of them was a union rep.
https://polytechnic.purdue.edu/newsr...ssional-flight

Purdue provided some quality pilots for Frontier. Unfortunately, a few years behind the curtain and a pilot friendly hiring environment has sent them packing.

Anyone know the status of the Australian visa program Frontier wanted to use to hire pilots that essentially would tie them to employment at Frontier?

It is obvious that Frontier is no longer considered a legit long term career option for many pilots. Something is broken!

Thanks for the data. Very appreciated here

#58

HacksawDuggan , 11-15-2022 07:45 AM

Line Holder

Remember the summer of 2020? BB confidently saying “we will get through this together” on video after video and saying we are well positioned to weather the storm, unlike the legacies? And then, overnight, they changed their tune in the fall and planned the furlough of hundreds of our pilots? 504 pilots to be exact were subject to zero credit lines or unpaid leave only to be offset by senior pilots taking 35 hour COLAs. That happened in an instant. Would the company make you pay back the 35k if they furloughed you? I am guessing they would because they are fronting you the money. Are they committing to not furlough you for 3 years? Are they committing to keep your base open for 3 years? Are they committing to not terminate for using sick leave for the first three years?

This is a scheme and no one in their right mind would sign it. I flew with many pilots in 2019 and 2020 that had plans to stay here forever, even relocate their family to one of our growing bases. They are gone. 3 years is a long time.

#59

fcoolaiddrinker , 11-15-2022 07:57 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by HacksawDuggan

Good points. There’s a way to fix our attrition problem and this isn’t it. Hint. Strong arm tactics won’t work in the current environment.

#60

HacksawDuggan , 11-15-2022 08:02 AM

Line Holder

Quote:

Originally Posted by fcoolaiddrinker

Good points. There’s a way to fix our attrition problem and this isn’t it. Hint. Strong arm tactics won’t work in the current environment.

Previously I mentioned you could put it in savings, but then I thought about how difficult it is to get anything done administratively at this place and how much of a hassle it would be to return the funds if a pilot does choose to leave. There would be tax implications as well.