Ahh, now I see your point. Not much of a sales job stating that the pay rates stay just behind an optimistic inflation forecast. But hey, in 2015 we were told that our pay rates fell inline with a 3% yearly increase, and a majority fell for it.

Why are we even discussing how close we will be to the UPS rates. Their rates are based on a single pay rate regardless of what you fly. Most of the industry pays a higher rate for larger aircraft than smaller ones. UPS will pass the United 777 rate from January 2019 on Sept. 1, 2022. What would that United rate be today if we followed the mythical 3% linear increase?

I mean, yeah, the EB was trying to "sell" the extension in the sense that they thought it was the best deal they were going to get. If they hadn't thought so, they wouldn't have presented it to us for a vote. IMHO, whatever your opinion of the extension, their integrity is beyond reproach.

Flat Dollar Benefit?
 

What the heck is the”Flat Dollar Benefit”?

pension. It’s based on a fixed dollar amount x YOS.
(I think it is the greater of that fixed dollar amount or 1% FAE x YOS)

Does it get adjusted with inflation? 4k in 20-30 yea won't be worth much

There is no COLA, just like FDX's FAE pension has no COLA.

That said...

The UPS/IPA Flat Dollar Amount (FDA) benefit was created in Contract 2006 at $3k/YOS for Captains with a 30YOS cap
Contract 2016 increased that to $4k/YOS, with step increases to $4100/YOS 1Jan20 and $4200/YOS 1Jan21
Extension 2020 increased that to $4300/YOS 1Jan22 and $4400/YOS 1Jan23
Extension 2022 increased that to $4525/YOS 1Jan24 and $4650/YOS 1Jan25

UPS Contact16 was effective Sept 1st, so 10 months after our contract.

The UPS pilots built upon our pay rates, and my expectation is that we will raise the bar as well. How long that will last is anyone’s guess. I only wish UPS had kicked it back, because, IMO, their inflation predictions are optimistic to say the least.

I can honestly say I never expected to see anyone on APC advocating for a Bridge TA.
FWIW-for the prognosticators, once UPS finally opens their CBA for a full S6 negotiations, if they take as long as their previous 2 that will put them another 5 years down the road.

so, $139,500 if you retire in 2025 w 30years?

That's correct.