Thanks. Makes sense.

We're marching towards mandatory retirements again, so one way or another, people will leave. I think that in the near future the determining factor in people's decision will become whether they think they can hold a medical or not. I'm not holding my breath for people leaving early on their own volution. Not saying you're wrong that these guys will punch out at 60 when they meet financial objectives: I'm just saying I'm not counting on it.

Regardless of the motivations, there is a large number of people that will definitely go. The main thing South got from the merger is that the retirement curve is smoothed out again. I'm grateful for that. Between the North retirements starting in 2013, and then the South retirements really spooling up in the next 5-10 years, it should keep a fairly steady flow. If we can hold the bottm line, and not let our flying be outsourced, there is quite a bit of upside potential.

Ah, there you go again...

You want to add Compass to the list (340 pilots) without owning all the flying. I want to play poker with you. Bleating of unity will not solve your scope issue. Capturing E-175's without "other" airliner scope is another empty "protection."

You don't get to where you want to be by starting at where you wish you were.

You bring up a good point, and it's one that I'm very concerned about with regard to the health of the DPMA. I would think it very likely that more guys over age 60 will lose their medicals, than guys under 60. Before the age 60 rule change, anyone over 60 was retired and couldn't draw off the DPMA if they lost their medical. Now guys over 60 who lose their medical will be drawing DPMA funds until they're 65.

Does anyone know if DPMA has figured in this negative impact after age 60 was changed?

Carl

Flew with one of the Trustees a few weeks ago, and by his word they are addressing it. They are in a decent position currently, and the monthly payouts are below 2 million. (I recall something like 1.3 or 1.5 million a month) We can also only draw for two years total.

Carl,

The following is copied right from the DPMA website. In answer to your question, based on No. 4, I would say everyone is now eligible until age 65.

Who is eligible for Benefits?

DPMA benefits are available to all active members who exhaust their Delta provided sick pay or are on Sick Leave of Absence (SLOA). DPMA disability benefits are effective on your SLOA date and end the earlier of:

1. The date you are returned to “active” pay status or,
2. The DPMA disability benefit maximum of twelve (12) months has been paid or,
3. The maximum lifetime DPMA benefit of twenty-four (24) months has been paid or,
4. Reach FAA manditory retirement age for commercial pilots, retires, or is terminated.

Denny

PS. The spelling error is not mine!!!:D

I know that the issues that you state do not go unnoticed nor unaddressed by anyone including Bar. To type out this litany every time a post is made gets redundant. Sol lets make it easy and state that we acknowledge the need to deal with section one and the DCI 76/70 seat limits set forth as well as recapturing the aircraft type and or seat range.

Also a war is won by winning many battles, as Bar states the first battle is recapturing the CPS flying and with it reducing the allowable number of 76/70 seat jets flow by DCI.

I am also for a phase in of the recapture. I agree that, it makes a ton of sense, both for us, the company and the DCI carriers. A true win would be to state that aircraft that are currently flying are allowed until the contract with said DCI carrier expires, then the flying is returned to mainline. Some of that is 11 years off, but it is a start in the correct direction. Any step away from the slide is a necessary first step. (W/O carriers are a different animal since they do not have the same type of DCI contract that third party affiliates have)
Contrary to popular belief there are many of us who are pragmatic and big picture people.

Wow, I didn't know that you only got DPMA for 2 years. Does that mean after 2 years you just have to retire? At NW, when our sick leave ran out, you got 50% of your final average earnings until your normal retirement date.

Carl

The program is similar here. In most cases the LTD plan pays you 50% of pay until you get better, no longer qualify for LTD, or reach the FAA mandatory retirement age. DPMA overlays up to 24 months of protection bringing you up to an after tax effective 100% of pay.

LTD payments only last 2 years for mental/nervous, and there are some exclusions for illegal acts, etc, but in general if you can't hold a medical you get paid.

DPAMA is over and above the LTD payments. It in effect gets you closer to you original salary for up to two years. It is pilot funded.

OK, got it now. Thanks Slow.

Carl