Originally Posted by
LeeFXDWG
The retirement "option" he speaks of is PBGC related. Don't know the individual or time at U.
Regarding side letters and MOU's, expect nothing. The furlough mitigation agreement can be sidelined with the stroke of a pen.
He mentioned that Zed fares is all he cares about; there are certain hurdles you have to meet for lifetime passes on UAL - 10 yrs of service/age 50. I don't know how it works for Zed but I'd imagine something similar.
I remember reading one guy who retired at ~48 from UAL and made the comment that he should have waited until 50 because he hosed himself on lifetime passes. I've had similar thoughts on retirement and pass privileges.
I agree about contractual items/SLOAs/MOUs disappearing at the stroke of a pen but I don't see either side pushing to eliminate those items; I could be wrong (I've been wrong plenty of times in the past). With pilots currently on furlough, I don't see a lot of incentive to change the status quo because that'd expose both the company and union to possible litigation.
Originally Posted by
Probe
I had thought that I would have to return to UAL to retire, but both ALPA's and the companies' furlough reps said that we could retire directly from furlough, if we meet the minimum requirements for retirement. I believe it was 10 years of service (I have that) and 50 years old (not there yet hence the 18 more months).
No ZED fares for furloughees that I am aware of. We do get passes on UAL, and I believe on CAL now. I use the passes all the time going back to the US from Beijing.
ZED fares on Star would be nice. I believe we also get medical benefits, which will hopefully cover my ObamaCare mandate, if that ever comes to fruition.
From the contract (FINALLY found the 10 year reference - mentioned in several other places throughout the contract):
21-E-2
A pilot who has ten (10) years of service with the
Company prior to being permanently grounded will be
considered as a retired employee for pass travel privileges.
Retiree Medical (from LOA 3-16):
2. Pre-Medicare Medical Plan Benefits. When first eligible, and during any subsequent
Open Enrollment, a retired pilot or survivor may elect from among the same options as are
available to active pilots (effective July 1, 2003, the Medical PPO, any available HMO, or no
coverage). Coverage will not be offered again once coverage has been waived or has ceased
due to nonpayment of the required monthly contribution.
**NOTE: This was before loss of the pension; it appears that this medical is still in effect but I can't find anything more recent. There's also a post-medicare supplement option listed in LOA 03-16.
LOA 05-02 (cancelled retiree life insurance):
No retiree life insurance will be payable upon the death of any pilot who retires after
January 1, 2005.
Zed - I figured that we didn't get that as furloughees.
UAL/CAL passes - I've nonrevved on both. I found it somewhat easier on CAL; their flights haven't seemed as oversold.
I combed through C2003 for anything about retiring while on furlough - I didn't find anything. It might have been an item in C2K that was deleted. I did find a UAL FA voluntary furlough guide (1 Jun 11) that stated that they could retire while on furlough so I'd imagine pilots would have the same opportunity to retire on furlough. Reference: http://www.unitedafa.org/schedule/fu...r_20110601.pdf
Hope this helps.