Originally Posted by Wasatch Phantom

What Reroute, Sailing and Stagger didn't mention is that there was no distinction in either of the ALPA distribution methodologies for a pilot's PC status within the PBGC guidelines. That is: If you were 53 or older on the date of pension plan termination you are a PC-3 pilot. If you weren't 53, you are PC-4.

PC-4 pilots will only get the PBGC minimum unless (and it's chance is virtually zero) there is any money left over after all the PC-3 pilots get 100% of their benefit.

There is a HUGE difference in retirement dollars between a PC-3 pilot and a PC-4 pilot.

Several years ago I flew a trip with the number 1 captain on the 767-400. He was (and is) a good guy. One of his comments regarding retirement was "...It's not that hard to get your final average earnings up to $450,000.00".

That's a number we pretty much can't fathom in todays world. That fellow went out several years early and I believe his lump sum was in the $1.7 million range.