Frontier Pilots Getting Started Guide

Introduction

Welcome to Frontier Airlines! This guide, compiled from key sections of your Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), is designed to help you understand important aspects of your contract. Your CBA is the legal contract that governs your employment.

ALPA

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) is the union representing Frontier pilots, along with pilots at many other airlines across North America. ALPA protects your rights, negotiates your labor agreement, and provides guidance, resources, and support throughout your career. By uniting Frontier pilots, ALPA helps ensure a safer, fairer, and more professional workplace.

The Data Acquisition and Reporting Tool (DART) is a system used by ALPA to collect and track pilot reports related to safety, fatigue, and other operational issues. It is a critical tool for identifying potential problems and advocating for pilot interests. New hires are encouraged to use DART to report any issues they encounter.

CBA Explanations

Compensation & Pay (CBA Sections 3, 26, 4) 💰

Seniority: The most critical factor for bidding, schedules, and promotions.
Monthly Guarantee: A minimum of 75 hours of Pay Credit per month. This can be reduced by taking unpaid drops or leaves.
Overtime Pay: All Pay Credit over 82 hours a month is paid at 125%.
Pay Rigs: The CBA includes "Trip Rig" (pay for time away from base) and "Duty Rig" (minimum pay for certain trips) to ensure fair compensation.

Hours of Service & Scheduling (CBA Sections 12, 25) ✈️

Duty Limits: A maximum of 14 hours of duty, with stricter limits for late-night flying.
Days Off: Guaranteed a minimum of 12 days off per month.
Rest Periods: Guaranteed a minimum of 10-11 hours of rest between duty periods and at least 31 consecutive hours of rest in any 7-day period.

Reserve - Short Call 📞

As a new pilot, you will likely spend significant time on Reserve. Short Call Reserves must be able to report to their domicile airport within two hours of a call from Crew Scheduling. You are required to be available to be contacted only during your assigned Reserve Duty Period (RDP). If you miss a call, you must return it within 10 minutes.

Note: While the CBA provides the framework, the actual times and critical days for each month are determined by the PBS bidding information. The following information reflects what you will find on the PBS.

Reserve Duty Period Times (Local Domicile Time):

RSV A: 0300 - 1330. Latest release is 1700.
'B' RDP: 0800 - 1830. Latest release is 2200.
RSV C: 1200 - 2230. Latest release is 0200.
RSV D: 1700 - 2400. Latest release is 0700 (except 0900 for CDO's).
'E' RDP: 1900 - 0200. Latest release is 0900 (except 1100 for CDO's).

Only the A, C, and D RDPs are biddable. The B and E RDPs are assigned by Crew Scheduling.

Restricted Drop & Critical Reserve Days (2025):

Restricted Drop Days: July 4, November 26, December 22-23, December 24-25, December 26, December 30-31
Critical Reserve Days: July 4, November 26, December 24, December 26, December 31

Key Pilot Benefits & Rules

Sick Leave (CBA Section 14): Accrue one day per month, with a maximum bank of 120 days. You can "fly back" sick time to replenish your sick leave bank.
Vacations (CBA Section 7): Accrue vacation days annually based on your years of service.
Deadheading (CBA Section 8): You are guaranteed a Positive Space Must Ride seat and can deviate from your deadhead flight while still receiving pay credit.
Grievances (CBA Section 20): If you believe the company has violated the CBA, you have 60 days to file a grievance.
Retirement (CBA Sections 27, 28): The company makes non-elective contributions to your 401(k). These contributions are 100% vested after three years of service.

Financial Planning 📊

Starting your first airline job? Congratulations! You’re about to earn a great income, and having a plan for managing it is key. Check out this guide to get a solid start and set yourself up for financial success.

Important Websites & Apps

Familiarize yourself with these systems for daily operations:

ELP: The ELP app is used for viewing your schedule, flight assignments, and accepting pairing changes. The ELP Crew Portal is used for looking at your schedule and accepting assignments. Both are available to download on iOS & Android.
ELP CrewPay: The ELP CrewPay portal is used for checking sick time and pay reports.
Navblue: This is the system used for flight planning, monthly bidding, and managing your schedule. For step-by-step guidance, check out the PBS Bidding Guide and watch the PBS training videos. You can also listen to the Five by Five podcast episode “Set Condition | Unstacking Your PBS Bid”, which covers common mistakes and tips to get the most out of PBS. If you still need assistance, you can always submit a DART to Scheduling for support.
FLICA: You can trade, drop, or pick up open time flights, as well as bid for premium trips, FDO, Pilot Domicile Trade, and vacation. It is also used for the pilot system bid for changing bases.

Probationary Period

Your probationary period begins on your date of hire and lasts for 12 months or until you successfully complete your Probationary Proficiency Check, whichever is later. The probationary period can be extended by leaves of absence of 30 days or more. While on probation, you have many of the same rights and privileges as non-probationary pilots.

GETTING STARTED GUIDE

FOR FRONTIER PILOTS