Originally Posted by
IrishNJ
One question (and it's just a question so don't bite my head off): the two furloughees i know are a couple of years into careers at other carriers by now (jetblue etc.) and actually making more than they would be if they were at the bottom at UAL and are 99% sure they won't go back, why are you going back? (and I guess I'm assuming you're working somewhere and therefore not really on a 100% paycut)
This doesn't necessarily answer your question, but it is something to consider.
Although their current position is at 99% sure that they will not be coming back, the folks who are at JB and other carriers post-furlough may seriously reconsider after the contract is signed. My expectation is that furloughees will get full longevity credit. In other words, a 2008 furloughee could come back at the 5 year pay mark at the new pay rates if we get a contract in the next several months. Add to that, the furloughees have a 10 year decision time-frame. Some might not have to make the final decision to come back until 2018 or 2019. By that time they should see themselves well into the meat of the seniority list and we should be in our second post-merger contract. (Or getting ready to strike.)
Being furloughed sucks. I can empathize with their situation. I do not make light of the obstacles that many furloughees faced being cut loose at the beginning of one of the worst economic meltdowns in history. Having said that, those furloughees that found good flying jobs could be sitting in an enviable position.
(If the retirement age goes up to 70 in the next couple of years, all bets are off.)
FWIW
Hog