Originally Posted by SEA 737

Since the UAL-MEC has pulled the plug on the forum for UAL pilots, there is presently no other forum other than this to "get the word out" on what is going on at UAL. I hope someone out there is working on setting up a new forum OUTSIDE the oversight and censorship of the UAL MEC.

The issue of the week is the UAL "Furlough Fund." The furlough fund was originally designed several years ago to assist those pilots (at the time there were 2172 pilots in that category) with COBRA insurance premiums. The fund was administered responsibly and effectively and resulted in a great many of our pilots being assisted at the time of their greatest need. On average, we were assessed about $15 to $20 a month and the cost seemed to be spread fairly among the 7,000 of us on the seniority list.

With the advent of the furlough of additional UAL pilots (presently 223) the fund was re-activated. HOWEVER, this time, instead of assessing funds as they were needed, the UAL-MEC apparently has decided to create a "super-fund" to address any contingency. This is not what ANY United pilot had in mind, especially when I received my first furlough fund assessment of $176.00! This was just for the month of December. That e-mail was followed by another e-mail from ALPA declaring that they had "made a mistake" and that my monthly assessment was ONLY $95.20.

After several calls to my Council Chairman and the UAL MEC Secretary Treasurer, APPARENTLY this assessment is CORRECT. If my assessment is representative of the pilot group, and about half the pilots contributing more and half contributing less, I figure that this one assessment garnered the UAL-MEC over $665,000. Now, if they split that amount evenly with EVERY current furloughee, that would net them nearly $3,000 EACH!

If the MEC was paying about $450 per furloughee for COBRA insurance, the cost would be approximately $100,350. So, that begs the question ---What is the UAL MEC doing with the extra $565,000 that it has CONFISCATED from the pilot group?

Since the UAL-MEC has pretty much severed all forms of two way communication with it's pilots, I'll toss it out here and MAYBE it will garner the attention of SOMEONE - if anyone cares anymore.

If you are a United pilot I strongly urge you to contact your local council officers and DEMAND an accounting for this assessment. This organization appears to be out of control.

And I'll sign my name -

Steve Derebey
Member
Council #27