Originally Posted by
TonyC
Seniority rights is a cornerstone of our very existance in this profession, and it's a principle that was fought for at no small expense. To abandon a couple hundred or so folks at our airline (I don't know how many at others) on this issue would be abandoning a principle that we all value dearly. So, on the issue of retroactivity, I ask the same questions:
Is that the right thing? Debatable.
Is that the popular thing? Clearly not.
My opinion is that it is the right thing to do, and I commend Capt Webb for taking the right position, even when it is so unpopular.
.
I commend you for wanting to do the right thing.
But I don't agree with your assumptions. For years the "right thing" has been to support age 60 as the end of a 121 career. Not much talk about how it hurt anyone's seniority rights until just recently. It was just the rule and we worked seniority in accordance with the Government rule.
Now it's a big issue at companies with lost pensions and benefits. We are not one one of those and actually find ourselves to be the premier carrier to work for (and retire from) in terms of pay and benefits. Suddenly when the age is being raised the way in which it is being raised, prospective vs. retroactive, it has turned into a very important seniority issue. What if the government chose not to raise it for another 2 years? Would that be a seniority issue? Of course not.
The issue, instead, is one of how best to implement this important change. It has been hard for many to retire at 60 for DECADES. It is no more difficult for those retiring now at FDX that a prospective change to the retirement age may occur. It's actually easier since we have a better contract now. Just because you miss the cutoff by 2 years, 6 months or even 15 days is not important. Your proximity to the cutoff does not elevate the importance of your side of the issue above how it affects junior folks, the guy who retired last year or the folks at SWA, CAL and AA who had no choice and retired one day too early. We have a good pension, the old guys are not getting the shaft. In fact, I'm very happy that over 60 is coming before we lose the 3 man cockpit.
So we have an issue where less than 300 guys/gals can just stay SO or retire or greatly impact over 2500 other pilots. I am very glad folks have been able to stay past 60 here. I'm sure all are thankful as well. As an association of pilots I think the choice is an easy one. The impact is minimal on the 300 (probably 150 or less) and huge on 2500+.
The right thing to do (for everyone) is prospective implementation.