Frontier MEC Honors Pilot for Life-Saving Action at ATL

DENVER — Pilot leaders at Frontier Airlines have honored a Florida-based Frontier pilot who likely saved the life of a ramp worker during an incident at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport last October.

The Frontier Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl. presented an MEC Safety Award to First Officer Joel Byler for his quick thinking to assist the ramper, who was injured while working around his aircraft. 

Byler was performing his walk-around inspection outside his Airbus jet on the ramp prior to a flight in ATL October 3 when he noticed a ramp agent was in distress. The ramper had been loading bags onto the aircraft when she was pulled into the moving belt on the baggage loader and was at imminent risk of being killed or severely injured.  

While the ramper suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident, Byler’s quick action in hitting the stop button on the loader saved his fellow employee from a potentially tragic outcome. 

“Joel’s quick response and decisive actions saved the life of a ramp agent, exemplifying the highest standards of safety and professionalism in the aviation industry,” said First Officer Sheldon Devantier, Vice Chair of Frontier’s Local Council 169.  

“The pilot’s profession requires vigilance at all times while on duty, and at times requires the execution of actions for which the pilot has not been trained. It is with great pride that we present this Safety Award to Joel Byler for going above and beyond the call of duty to protect the life of a fellow team member,” Devantier said.

F/O Byler is a Florida-based Airbus 320/321 pilot who lives in West Lafayette, IN. He has been with Frontier since 2022.

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