Flying at F9
Posted by derpintine@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Anyone who is currently flying for F9 available for a brief DM? Questions about career transition, QoL, and overall newbie questions. Thanks!
derpintine@reddit (OP)
Hey everyone. I'm an IT guy currently working as a part-time CFI and building hours until I can make aviation my second career.
I've been doing some research on LCCs and Frontier interests me because personally I've had good experiences flying as a regular passenger (I know right?!) and also because there's a base not too far from me.
Background / Path to F9
For those of you flying for Frontier now (or who have in the past) what did your path look like? Where were you working before you got the gig, and how long did it take from hitting minimums to actually getting hired? Did you come straight from a regional, a Part 135 outfit, a corporate? Curious what backgrounds they seem to favor or if it's really just about the hours.
This is probably my biggest question. I'm not a 22-year-old wrapping up an ATP-CTP fresh out of college. Do they hire "fresh older guys" like me (someone who hits the minimums later in life) and is new to the airline world but has an allegedly fully developed brain? Or are the minimums basically just a floor and they really want people with significant turbine/airline time on top of that? Anyone know if age has ever felt like an unspoken factor in the process?
How do you feel about the equipment? I know F9 is all-Airbus but how's the A320 family to work with day-to-day? And what are the actual perks like travel benefits, crashpads, scheduling flexibility for someone junior? Anything that surprised you in a good way once you got in the door?
Compared to other carriers you know about or have friends at, where does Frontier fall short? I've read some things about scheduling, contract issues, and quality of life, but I'd rather hear it from pilots actually living it than from a random forum post from three years ago. What would you tell a guy like me who's comparing F9 against other LCCs or plotting a go at a legacy post regional stint?
I know these questions come up a lot but I'm specifically trying to understand if this is a realistic and smart move for someone switching careers mid-life rather than someone who's been building hours since they were a teenager.
Thanks Bigly.
T0gaLOCK@reddit
If you like flying an airbus for the same rate as an RJ and 50% less than almost everyone else, go to F9.
I suggest going elsewhere. - F9 pilot
derpintine@reddit (OP)
My main question is - is F9 a place I could start off as a 1500hr pilot w/ minimum multi time? Does my "life experience" count at all or is that a place I'd have to get to? I'd rather start at F9 b/c the QoL seems better than at a regional but maybe I'm naive and wrong on both accounts?
Physical-Program-509@reddit
Probably not, they haven’t hired a piston cadet in over 14 months
T0gaLOCK@reddit
we hire 1500hr pilots yes, not sure. I am not in the hiring department so I cannot tell you what exactly helps your application.
The QOL is better than a regional yes, but thats about it for the beginning. It is a stepping stone airline for everyone here and most have their apps out and are trying to leave. Some regionals will upgrade quick as well and pay the same and probably run smoother.
clearingmyprop@reddit
For the love of god don’t fly for an airline because you had a good passenger experience.
I know someone who was dead set on flying for allegient because they grew up flying them growing up a lot.
They now are desperately trying to get out because they aren’t happy right now
landcruiser33@reddit
Do you like half pay?
x4457@reddit
Post your questions publicly so that someone else may learn too.
rFlyingTower@reddit
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Anyone who is currently flying for F9 available for a brief DM? Questions about career transition, QoL, and overall newbie questions. Thanks!
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