IMO every pilot on the seniority is affected by this portion of the contract because of the risk we assume without adequate coverage.

The regional I came from had an LTD plan that paid as soon as you ran out if sick and vacation time. If you didn't have any saved up it paid right away. It paid 60% of 80hrs x your last active pay rate. It paid tax free because premiums were paid after taxes unlike your health insurance. The company paid the majority of the premium and the pilot paid a small share. The benefit paid until age 65 as long as you couldn't use or obtain a first class medical. Any other income did not count against your benefit payments as long as you weren't using a first class medical. You could litterally get any job and get a full salary and also keep getting your LTD benefit until age 65 because you were unable to get a first class medical.

I had a health scare last year where I lost my medical for a few weeks but was luckily able to requalify for it. I am a healthy 30 something non smoker and nowhere near over weight. This health issue was nothing that I could have prevented by lifestyle choices and I was perfectly healthy to do anything in life aside from fly airplanes professionally. Maybe this issue didn't get me but it made me realize how fragile and easily lost out medical certificates are. My family has a lot of time and money invested in this career as well as future earning potential. That's a lot of risk to assume by being underinsured. Hopefully none of us have a health issue where we can't get out medical back but I don't want to risk my families future on hope. It could also be as simple as the FAA making a sweeping change in certification requirements. Can you say sleep apnea? It wasn't my issue and I have a bmi of 25 but you get what I'm saying.