Frontier pilots demonstrate in Denver amid pay fight

Frontier Airlines pilots picketed in downtown Denver Thursday in a bid for public support in their long running fight with the Denver-based discount carrier to replace their bankruptcy contract. About 350 uniformed pilots, including a handful from other airlines, and flight attendants silently walked up and down the sidewalk in frigid weather across the street from Denver's city hall near the state Capitol. Union rules bar them from chanting but they held signs showing wild animals like the ones displayed on the tails of the airline's aircraft including one with a bear that said "Frontier Pilots: Flying Under an Unbearable Contract." The demonstration drew some honks and shouts of support from passing cars and pedestrians while others just looked as they walked by. The pilots are working under a 10-year-old contract that they agreed to change in 2011 to keep the airline out of bankruptcy. Talks began in March 2016 and the pilots and Frontier have been in mediation for the last year. The pilots say their pay is 40% below the average pay of other pilots flying Airbus planes. Frontier said it is still actively involved with the negotiations taking place under the guidance of the National Mediation Board and has exchanged several proposals with the pilots.<br/>