Here is how we can fund schoolin for the younguns. We tax the VEBA fund of any pilot that flys in the left seat, after age 60, ten percent per year. All the money could go into a fund that will match parents contributions one for one. Just kidding.

Or you could call it property tax, like all the municipalities do. My kid has been out of school for a while now, but twice a year I write a check to the town, for property tax, a large portion of which goes for the public school system. Doesn't bother me at all, as it's the correct thing to do.

By the way, although you say "Just kidding", do you realize that if a guy elects to continue flying past 60, all the way to 65, he and/or his family are not getting anything from VEBA, which is a retired pilot post-medicare account, but he is contributing to the fund, just like any other active pilot.

What happens after the LOA is voted down?

The company puts out the bid.

The company offers the current CBA Section 6 relocation package.

If they don't get the Captain's seat filled on the practice bid, then they go to Section 6.E.1.e:

In addition to the relocation allowance provided in Section 6.C.2., a pilot, other than a pilot assigned to an FDA location as his first crew position, may be eligible for an FDA bonus as follows:
The amount of the bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Company after consultation with the Association.
In no case shall an FDA bonus exceed $20,000 for each Captain or $15,000 for each First and Second Officer.
The Company may condition a pilot's eligibility to receive or retain the bonus on his activation at the FDA location and/or his service at the FDA location for a minimum period of time. In no case, however, shall the service requirement at any FDA exceed 4 years. The minimum period for the FDA in Subic Bay shall remain 3 years.
If the Company and the Association disagree as to the amount of an FDA bonus, if any, the disagreement may be submitted for resolution to the System Board. The System Board shall lack jurisdiction to establish FDA bonuses in excess of the maximums established in Section 6.E.1.e.ii. (above).
A pilot shall not be eligible for an additional FDA bonus as a result of a change of crew status within the same FDA location.

The company offers a bonus! $20,000 for Captains ($555/month for 36 months). $10,000 for FO's ($277/month for 36 months).

After pilots fall all over themselves bidding these domiciles and the slots are filled, the company stops paying the bonus.

No housing allowance. No bonus. No leverage during our next contract negotiations because the resistance crumbled.

No I didn't know that, maybe I am reading section 27.H.7.c wrong:

HRA contributions will not be reduced for a pilot who continues as an active employee past age 60.

So if a guy elects to continue flying past 60 he is not an active employee? Read the preceding paragraph HRA contributions are incoming not outgoing.

Yes you are reading it wrong. Contributions are incoming into the VEBA fund. If you look at preceding paragraph, they talk about "contributions and interest attributable thereto shall be transferred to the HRA established with respect to that pilot upon the date that the pilot attains age 59." The HRA is the account a pilot can draw from. The contributions are any pilot, union, or company deposits into the VEBA fund, and according to para c., they continue after 60 if you work after 60. So the over 60 guys will continue to contribute $.50 per credit hour, for as long as they work.

See sec 27 I. 3. "As soon as practicable after October 30, 2006, but not later than January 1, 2007, the Company will contribute to the VEBA 50 cents of each paid credit hour for each pilot having a seniority list number (which would otherwise be paid to the pilot in cash) as the pilot's ongoing monthly contribution to the Post-Medicare Plan/VEBA. "

So, this is what you think we should do if the LOA fails?

Argue about VEBA funds?

Alrighty then....Carry on.

Busboy
 

Very Funny!!:D

Well, LOA or not, life goes on. We argue about contract stuff. Take cheap shots on message boards, at those we disagree with. We do our jobs and attempt to do our best labor-side optimizing (i.e. as little work for as much moola as possible.) Personally, unless you are one of the very few actually considering one of these FDAs, I don't think anything will change.

Geez! Now you're bringing Lola into it? Who's Lola?

Never mind. Maybe call her and see if you can work it out. In the meantime...

Busboy, that made my day!:D Thanks a lot!
fbh