Frontier pilots spread word in Phoenix that they are ready to go on strike

PHOENIX – Disgruntled pilots for Frontier Airlines stopped in Phoenix on Monday as they spread the word that they are prepared to go on strike.

Capt. Alan Christie, a spokesman for Frontier’s pilots, told KTAR News 92.3 FM they’ve been seeking a new contract for nearly three years and accused the airline of refusing to negotiate in good faith.

Christie said pilots agreed to reductions in pay and benefits to keep the Denver-based airline alive after it filed for bankruptcy in 2008.

“Without us offering those pay and benefit concessions, the airline would have, frankly, gone out of business,” he said.

Now that the airline is back on its feet, Christie says the pilots are seeking fair market compensation.

“They have upstreamed hundreds of millions of dollars in corporate dividends and bonuses, and they refuse to pay their pilots the going rate,” he said.

Jonathan Freed, a spokesman for Frontier, said in a statement that the airline is “engaged in negotiations with our pilots for a new contract.

“We look forward to working toward an agreement that is fair, sustainable and provides security for everyone,” Freed said.

Christie said Frontier pilots make about 50 percent of their colleagues doing the same job for other major airlines.

He said starting pay for new pilots at Frontier is around $35,000.

“When you consider the investment pilot needs to make for the education and the experience of close $100,000 to $150,000, it’s a hard pill to swallow, especially when there’s other much more favorable jobs out their available,” he said.

He said the low pay has resulted in retention and recruiting problems for Frontier.

“Their growth strategy is basically failing right now because they can’t get enough pilots to fly their airplanes,” he said.

Negotiations are currently taking place under the auspices of the National Mediation Board, Christie said. If an impasse is declared and 30 days passes without a deal being reached, then the pilots are allowed to strike.

“We could have a strike, possibly, the new year,” he said.

To raise awareness among customers and the airline’s parent company – Phoenix-based Indigo Partners – the pilots have been visiting cities Frontier serves in a 37-foot recreational vehicle covered with the pilots’ message.

“We voted 100 percent to go on strike. That’s plastered all over the side of our Mobile Strike Center,” as the RV is called, Christie said.

The RV was scheduled to appear Monday at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the Arizona Capitol and Indigo’s headquarters.

“We’re just looking for the company to come forward and make good on their word that when they became profitable that they would negotiate with us in good faith, and they just have not done that,” Christie said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mark Carlson contributed to this report.

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