hamfisted

I continue to firmly believe that our Union leadership sold us a bill of goods on the Age 65 Legislation being a "slam dunk" and that the train was "leaving the station" and we needed to get on it or we couldn't help steer. As I have repeatedly said; this legislation is small potatoes to Congress. If it doesn't have significant social or financial implications to our nation or doesn't help get them re-elected, they won't waste one ounce of political capital on legislation that is pushed by and appeases a very small group of aging whining airline pilots.
Our union reps need to be held accountable for this debacle. The junior block reps should resign immediately simply because they abandoned their constituents in order to align themselves with DW and the senior cadre he continuously represents and patronizes. Odd....that train whistle leaving the station just may have been the rallying cry for the membership to wake up and ask our reps to explain their unwillingness to represent their constituency as the formal polling indicated the "overwhelming majority" wanted to be represented.

Moondog

Bury the sponsor Senators with a deluge of how you feel about the age 65 thing. I agree, it's not a done deal. If you dont like it speak out where it can help.

Busboy

Maybe you should start with the Speaker of the House:

Good luck! Sadly, I think you may be spinning your wheels.

Micro

Just returned from the union hub turn meeting with DW. Almost the entire discussion revolved around the FDA's in Paris and China. A LOA is in the works that will be presented to the membership in the near future. Overview is a two year commitment that will pay an additional $84K above salary (Stipen?Bonus??) and a tax equalization paid by the company so that the pilots will not be penalized by higher taxes in those two countries. The company is hiring Price/Waterhouse to help pilots wade through the tax implications. The pilot domicile in china will be in Hong Kong with the trips starting from there with ground transportation to the airport. I guess we'll have to see and read the LOA to decide if it's worth it.
DW made a plea to not take out the anger towards the MEC and Officers by killing this LOA. His better idea was to recall the MEC reps and then have the new MEC recall him. An excellent idea!!!!
Anyway, it seems that the MEC and DW have taken the stance that the anger towards the union over non-representation will blow over (Pilot apathy??) and they will be able to continue with business as usual. I truly hope that will not be the case.

darby78

more details from the hub turn meeting...
12 757s - Paris
5 Airbus - China
Must live w/in 100 miles of respective airports (don't have to live in Hong Kong)
Pricewaterhouse does your taxes on FX dime
Union wants to give 14days to view LOA, then 14 days to vote
-should be no seat bid until after LOA

Next seat bid:
-company wants 3yr training cycle
-DW estimate: LOA in mid-late July, bid in mid-late Aug
-no 777 on this bid


Those are my notes, feel free to correct if you were there. I missed the beginning so thanks for the post Micro.

Huck

Thanks guys.

PurpleFreight

How assinine is that!!! Does she know what kind of pandoras box she's opening with this letter?!?! Is she going to request an exemption for everyone with the same record and standing?? Stupid...politicians suck

Moondog

She must be out of her mind. Let me apologize, in advance, to the 60+ guys/gals I am about to offend. I currently fly with a 62 year old gent who is the salt of the earth. When I started here he was 57 and did alright, but over the past 5 years I, and everyone, else has noted a marked decline in his skills. It is a fact of life that as the body ages it loses a step or two along the way. I am not saying that it is true for every person but it is true for the majority. When my dad go older he gave up flying voluntarily, because he was aware of this slowing. I just wish that common sense would outweigh the egos of those individuals in question. It is a safety issue period. Sorry.

FDX28

Is it $84K per year cause I heard it was $42K and it's taxable, dues, but would add to retirement. So if you don't take any for your 401K, take your dues and let's say 28% tax you'll make you'll only get $2470 per month. Then figure out that your dollar isn't work but 66% of that to the Euro, that really gives you after everything $1630 per month... That sucks far worse that if the company just paid no-taxable COLA.
BUT ALPA will get about $130,000 extra if CDG has 160 pilots. Then add another $130,000 if HGK has 160 pilots. Good way to pay for those Ruth Chris dinners...

Micro

You're right. Sorry if I didn't state it more clearly. $42K per year for two years = $84K. However, DW led me to believe that if you stayed longer than two years the $42K per year would continue. You're also right that it would be taxable income so Alpa would get their $$$$. Just think, you get to pay even more for *******Y representation. Maybe we could get the dues reduced by reducing DW's compensation package.