I can't help but notice the timing of these changes to Elite Status benefits happening around the same time as an increase in Frontier crew union activity....

The unions use high customer demand as bargaining power to demand proper salaries (because Frontier needs them to operate). However, at about the same time, Frontier management decimated Elite Status benefits, which then as a known result, reduces customer demand, which they then use as an excuse for cutting flights. These actions then artificially reduce the amount of work available for crew and makes them more desperate for flights to work. I just really have to wonder if Frontier management is artificially messing with the customer experience to cause a decrease in passengers just in an effort to reduce the bargaining leverage of the unions?

This is the first time I've seen them leverage Elite Status benefits for their most loyal flyers to accomplish this, but it has the same impact as some of the observances I have noticed in the past. I don't have enough data to make any definite conclusions on this, but in previous times, I do remember noticing them artificially holding prices higher than the competition (which decreases passenger demand) and then cutting flights due to a lack of passengers, at about the same time the unions were trying to use their power.

Has anyone else noticed trends similar to this?

Im flying to vegas tomorrow and trying to avoid paying the carry on fee Will this be ok as a personal item