Note: Please review the 'Helpful Tips' section and share this guide with your fellow new hires.
GETTING STARTED GUIDE
FOR FRONTIER PILOTS
← Back to Main PageIntroduction
Welcome to Frontier Airlines! This guide provides key CBA highlights, ALPA resources, reserve rules, essential websites & apps, and other important tips for new pilots.
Current crew bases: ATL, CHI, CLE, CVG, DEN, DFW, LAS, MCO, MIA, PHL, PHX, SJU, TPA.
ALPA
ALPA (Air Line Pilots Association) is the union for Frontier and other North American pilots. It protects your rights, negotiates your contract, and supports pilots throughout their careers.
DART (Data Action ReporT) lets you ask questions and get answers from ALPA experts within 48 hours, coordinating with you and your local pilot leaders.
CBA Explanations
Compensation & Pay (CBA Sections 3, 26, 4) 💰
- Monthly Guarantee: Both Line Holders and Reserve pilots are guaranteed 75 hrs/month or their actual credit, whichever is higher. Extra pay comes from >8-hr legs, day-off flying, or picking up extra trips.
- 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 - General Information (CBA Section 25.R) 📝
New pilots usually start on Reserve. Short Call Reserves must report within 2 hrs of a call and be available only during their assigned Reserve Duty Period RDP. Missed calls must be returned within 10 min.
Note: While the CBA sets the framework, actual times and critical dates are determined by the monthly PBS bid.
Reserve Duty Period Times (Local Domicile Time):
- RSV A: 0300 - 1330. Latest release is 1700.
- RSV B: 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).
- RSV E: 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.
FDO - Fixed Day Off Reserve Lines
FDO lines, bid in FLICA, work like a block of Long Call Reserve (LCR) days. You must be able to report within 12 hours and get a 31-hour rest every 7 days. FDO lines are fixed — not eligible for Aggressive Reserve or drops/swaps.
- Call-out: The first day of the block is Long Call. Future days can be converted to Short Call with 12 hours' notice.
- Release: On the last day, you are released by 1000 LDT if no assignment. Assigned trips must end by 2359 LDT.
Want to Fly (WTF) List
Reserve pilots can proactively seek flying assignments by calling Scheduling before 1200 LDT the day prior to add their name to the list. Trips are then awarded by seniority.
Aggressive Reserve
Reserve pilots can pick up extra trips in FLICA (bidding closes at 1:30 PM LDT). Trips go by seniority—Short Call first, then Long Call—and can’t be turned down. Pilots on FDO or 3×6 lines are not eligible.
The big perk is extra pay. Flying during your reserve days counts toward your monthly guarantee, but any flying that goes past your reserve days or falls on days off is paid on top of your guarantee.
Example: If your reserve ends Friday and you pick up a trip that runs through Sunday, Friday’s hours count toward your guarantee, while Saturday and Sunday pay extra.
Reserve Drop/Trade/Swap
- Dropping a Reserve Day: You can drop a Reserve Day or RDP with Crew Scheduling's approval. Each drop reduces your monthly pay guarantee by 4 hours.
- Trading or Swapping: Use FLICA to trade or swap Reserve Days/RDPs. Opens on the 13th for Captains and 14th for First Officers of the prior month.
- Swap Limits: Trades/swaps are not allowed if they create fewer than 3 consecutive Reserve Days/RDPs.
- Premium Reserve Days: On some premium days, you get at least 4 hours toward your guarantee, plus any extra pay earned above that.
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.
Pay & Benefits Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Reserve Hourly Minimum | 75 hrs / month |
| Regular Hourly Guarantee | 75 hrs / month |
| Minimum Days Off | 12 per month |
| Daily / Duty Period Min | 5 hrs |
| Per-Diem Rate | $2.15 per hour |
| Deadhead Pay | 100% of flight pay |
| Trip Rig | 3.5:1 (hours vs. days) |
| Over 82 Hrs Pay | 125% of hourly rate |
| Premium Pay | 150% of hourly rate |
| DC Contribution | 15% company match 401(k) retirement savings |
| Holiday / Night Pay | Not offered |
| Profit Sharing | Not offered Company-wide bonus plan |
Helpful Tips 💡
- Use Your Union Rep: Your reps are here to help. Don’t hesitate to send a DART or text your ALPA mentor—others on the committee can respond if one is busy.
- Stay Updated with Your MEC: FFT MEC uses TextCaster for urgent updates, bid reminders, and news. Sign up for TextCaster if you haven’t already.
- Scheduling Mistakes: Challenge crew scheduling if you see an error. Text your ALPA mentor or submit a DART.
- Your Right to a Two-Hour Call-In: On reserve, you have the right to the full two hours. Let Crew Scheduling know if you need the full time to get to the airport.
- Filing a Grievance: If the company breaks a contract rule, file a grievance. First-timers should submit a DART to the Grievance Committee for guidance.
- Speak Up on Probation: Even during probation, report safety or contractual issues to your union. The system works when pilots advocate for a safe workplace.
- Stay Informed: Review relevant CBA sections, like Section 25.R (Reserve), to understand your rules and rights.
- Understanding Codes & Lingo: Not sure what a code or term means? The Paycodes and Definitions section makes it easy to search and learn quickly.
Financial Planning
Starting your first airline job? Congrats! Plan ahead to manage your income wisely. Check out this guide to get a solid start.
Important Websites & Apps
Get familiar with these systems for daily operations:
- ELP: View your schedule, flight assignments, and accept pairing changes via the ELP Crew Portal. Available on iOS & Android.
- ELP CrewPay: Check pay reports and sick time via the CrewPay portal.
- Navblue: Used for monthly bidding and schedule management. See the PBS Bidding Guide, training videos, or the Five by Five podcast “Set Condition | Unstacking Your PBS Bid”. Submit a DART to Scheduling for help.
- FLICA: Trade, drop, or pick up open flights, bid for premium trips, FDO, Pilot Domicile Trades, and vacation.
Probationary Period
Your probation starts on your hire date and lasts 12 months or until you complete your Probationary Proficiency Check, whichever is later. Leaves of 30+ days can extend it. During probation, you retain most of the same rights and privileges as other pilots.