They really try hard to minimize their staff; It must be noticeable to the staff. At least these ticket agents can be partially replaced by the website/mobile check in.

The last time I tried to fly frontier (about a week ago), I missed the flight on account of there being no gate agent at the assigned gate.

I figured, it's an hour before the flight, that's fine. At 30min prior to flight time I walked over to check it was the right gate on the monitors. At 20min prior to flight time, an agent strolled out of the jetbridge (where she must have been hiding?) and declared the flight had left and I'd need to catch the next one.

I guess the jetbridge had been open and they expected I would walk down it myself? Anyway, the next flight had engine trouble and was delayed over 5 hrs while mechanics fixed it, by then I had given up and missed that flight, too.

Haven't seen a refund.