Interesting enough, rumors had it that the company took care of them. However, when I repeated that to someone years ago, I was chastised, and asked who had told me that BS.

Apparently, all the company wanted to do, was to do as the contract allowed. That being, workman's comp, sick time, followed by short and long term disability. ALPA on the other hand wanted more for the guys. The union's dilemma, if you want to call it that, was whether or not to try and help the one non-union member of the crew, Captain Sanders. They did the right thing and pushed for a much deserved "thank you" for all three crewmembers, on behalf of the company. The company only capitulated after threats of taking the story public and showing the "benevolence" of FedEx towards the guys. I don't know what the package included, but the guys remained in the bid packs and continued to bid as though they were still flying.

Apparently, both Andy and Jim are still maintained on the seniority list. I'm sure Dave Sanders hit 60 several years ago. They were even allowed to upgrade(on paper) according to their seniority, obviously to maintain the pay they would have held.

Andy and Jim received severe injuries as a result of the attack. Captain Sanders was admitted to the hospital for wounds he sustained as well. I believe he left the hospital within a couple of hours. None of the three ever flew for FedEx again. On a side note, if you fly 306, as of a couple years ago, you could still see the indentation where the hammer glanced off the overhead panel before striking the Captain. Many believe that glance probably saved him from severe head injuries.

Ironically, a couple years after the incident, Captain Sanders and a group of other pilots initiated a petition to remove ALPA as our bargaining agent. Unfortunately, they were successful in their endeavor, and arguably, helped set us back significantly in our quest for our first contract.

"...........and that's the way it was"