Originally Posted by JonesPR95

I interviewed with Frontier last week, and they said the training contract ($24K) payback was 100% payback for the first 12 months, 75% payback from 13-18 months, 50% from 18-24 months.

Originally Posted by MtnPeakCruiser

So you would like the pilot recruitment to lie to you? What would make you feel warm and fuzzy? Either you come here for a 2-year upgrade, and the quick seniority that comes with a fleet forecasted to almost triple in size within 6 years, OR you go to a Legacy and hope that the mass retirements shield you from the next economic downturn. Every "career" airline is a risk, sometimes it pays out big if you get in while it's small. I haven't seen the recruiting presentation but that seems to be the sum of it. Think of Bill Franke's little boutique airline, America West; the airline name is no longer around, but their management (all hired under Franke) and pilot's have risen to the top of the heap. If you think you're not taking a risk and making a "no brainer" decision by jumping on at any legacy, then you need to spend some time talking to the guys furloughed at American and United for a decade. Good luck!

Originally Posted by sulkair

Between todays litany of dread on this tread and listening to Hillary drone on before the committee all day, I finally resorted to lining up the shot glasses, ready to break the seal on my 1962 Jim Beam decanter. My sorrows were going to wait until tomorrow. ...Then I read this post! Mtn, You saved my $500 bottle of whiskey and had me at America West!

Originally Posted by MtnPeakCruiser

Well, I'm not trying to comfort anyone (including myself). And I don't think it a far stretch comparing the proposed new Frontier with the 110 aircraft America West on Sept 1, 2001 (when Franke left, after grooming Parker for the position). Prior to America West merging with USAirways in 2005, America West was the second to Southwest as the largest low cost carrier with 140 aircraft; now they're part of the largest airline in the world. AWE pilots have done well as a result. If your company can stay healthy, so can your career. Bill Franke doesn't have a great reputation with labor, but he doesn't run companies into the ground; he makes money. If Frontier stays healthy, good things will happen, but it is still a risk you'll have to take.

Originally Posted by Old UCAL CA

Had a long career at United (30+).

I wish I could tell everybody I had it planned since I was five...I didn't. Blind luck plus a number of factors panning out positive...you stick your finger in the air and hope the wind remains favorable or changes to favorable if it is not.

Best of luck to everybody.

Originally Posted by MtnPeakCruiser

AWE pilots have done well as a result.

Originally Posted by TallFlyer

Um, maybe you should ask a Westie about how much money he's lost due to USAPA and whether or not he'll be able to make it back before he retires before making broad statements like that.