Frontier sees wealth of ideas in workers
Carrier opens up a suggestion box for cost savings
By Chris Walsh, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published December 28, 2007 at 12:05 a.m.
Frontier Airlines is looking beyond the executive suite for new ideas on how to cut costs, turning to its employees for suggestions.
The Denver-based carrier created an e-mail address this month that workers can use to share their ideas, be it something as simple as eliminating free coffee or something more complex, such as taking better advantage of wind during flights to save fuel.
While the carrier typically accepts feedback and suggestions from workers, it's now actively encouraging employees to share their ideas - at least on the cost side of the business.
"Part of what made us decide to open this mailbox was the response we were already getting from employees," said Frontier spokesman Joe Hodas. "This is a way to corral it into one area to make it more of a formalized program within the company."
A select group of Frontier officials reviews the ideas and, if necessary, sends them to executives and managers within the company.
Frontier already has received 247 ideas, 18 of which were forwarded to a separate committee of key officers, including Chief Executive Sean Menke. Another 100 ideas have been sent to various leaders within the company.
Suggestions are flooding in from all types of workers, including pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, ramp workers, catering employees, managers and customer service agents, Hodas said.
The top idea mentioned by numerous employees: paper reduction.
"Employees are suggesting that we default the printers to print on both sides of the paper," Hodas said. "So that's an example of a great, easy and subtle way to save costs on paper. A lot of the ideas sound small but, when you add it all up, they definitely make a difference."
Some of the ideas have been technical, such as one employee's suggestion to try to save fuel by utilizing "multi-level cruise winds," Hodas said.
Other employees have suggested removing blankets and pillows from planes or eliminating in-flight beverages and food service, while some have even suggested layoffs.
Frontier said it will review all ideas but that it has to balance how they will affect consumers.
The second-largest carrier in Denver is hoping to break a string of unprofitable years but is struggling with the latest rise in fuel prices, which will lead to a larger-than-expected loss in the current quarter.
New CEO Menke has taken some immediate steps to lower expenses, including a move to eliminate 100 positions.
Although the carrier has explored many ideas over the years to lower expenses, ground-level workers sometimes see things that executives miss, observers say.
"We know they've been dealing with this issue for years, but there's still got to be some slack in the system," said Gary Chaison, professor of labor relations at Clark University in Worcester, Mass.
"What they're essentially saying is, 'We've tried everything we could on big items; maybe you've seen an area of waste that we haven't been able to.' They're asking for help from those most closely involved in the work process."
walshc@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2744
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January 3, 2008
6:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
standbyfly writes:
I am an employe of a major airline and I fly Frontier by choice...cleaner, cleaner, cleaner, friendlier, and great fares. I praise Frontier to my colleagues and managers. You do a great job from the agents to the flight crews and ground staff. My luggage has always arrived on time. My flights have been earlier rather than later. The snacks are great and well received from the comments heard around me during my flights. Smiling faces and helpful hands with carryon bags. My only suggestion would be to drop the blankets and pillows, keep the snacks, maintain the cleanliness, and charge reasonable fares. You are worth it!