Originally Posted by Jetjok

Just as a point of reference, when I turned 60, my calendar showed NOQ, as of my birthday, until the first event of ground school for the back seat. In order to show up at the school house with the proper attitude (going from captain to s/o requires a rather large mental adjustment), I asked for, and was given, a little more than a month off. This included some vacation time, but was mostly just time off without pay.

Your comment of "Of the 13 individuals, senior to me, that turned age 60 in Apr and May, only 1 is not still in the system" is rather telling, in that it appears that you only are concerned with guys who are senior to you, and therefore might be back if the rule is changed. I thought you were concerned with the entire rule change in general. But now I understand.

I've intentionally kept out of this debate because it's a real bucket of muckets. For the junior guys, all you see is that you're going to be sitting where you are now, but for a lot longer. This might or might not be true. Especially at FedEx, what with new jets on order, and new domiciles, there should be significant growth (we all hope.) As well, you always assume that because a guy is turning 60 that he is very senior. That's also not the case, but who am I to point this out to you. You constantly bring up the fact that we should have done a better job of financial planning, but fail to realize that a good number of us got here during a time when you sat at the panel for 4 to 5 years, and didn't have a chance to make captain until almost 9 years. Hell, some of us sat on reserve, when there were no rules for reserve, for upwards of 3 & 1/2 years. I don't tell you this to gain sympathy, but so that you can understand where maybe we were doing the best we could. As well, we didn't have the 6% matching that we do now. All just minor issues.

As well, you seem to want to abdicate the seniority system, because it would benefit you to do so. I do understand the issues associated with this contentious rule change, but the thing that bothers me is that you are willing to throw away the system that has stood us in good stead for so many years, just to allow you a slightly faster seat progression, while at the same time forsaking guys who have been humping freight for Fred for a long time.

There are many arguments that can (and have been) made, and all are, or may be correct. We don't know how this will shake out, but I can tell you this: without a solid unity of purpose, and a well supported union, this pilot group will be recovering from the next negotiated contract for many years to come. Dave Webb and the rest of our union leaders are doing what they think is in our (collective) best interests. The fact that you don't agree, is just the way it is.

As for the non-members list, I couldn't find it either... What gives?