The "How to Save" Union update...wow
 

First of all I hope anyone who actually read this put some thought into it but...

This is some of THE WORST financial advice I have ever seen! Hopefully few to none will actually follow any of this garbage.

First off, let's do a reality check. The last time ANY US airline pilot group was allowed to strike was in 2010...Spirit. Hell, they probably wouldn't even be allowed to strike because they're now "too big". If you think for a second we're gonna EVER be allowed to strike...well (insert stupid bridge for sale or whatever other expression here). We are what is known as an economically essential entity...won't happen, EVER.

OK now to the things they mentioned. IF we were actually allowed to strike (which we won't be) the company would have to relent pretty much immediately, but knowing we can't they really don't have to prepare or think about it. Long term living without a job due to a strike is NOT something you should be thinking about. You SHOULD always be prepared to have your funds reduced...you could lose your medical for one reason or another, you could need extended time off to take care of a loved one, etc so yes always have a plan for that but this bag of $hit from the union is exactly that.

- First off, the market is not doing well right now and is at historic lows in case you missed it. Recommending you stop investing due to a strike is one of the most idiotic things I've ever heard...

- Next, your taxes. Are they aware that if you reduce your tax payments you can actually be fined by the IRS for not paying enough? That's right kids, Uncle Sam wants his money today, not paid in full later and if you don't pay enough on a quarterly basis you can get slapped with penalty payments at the end of the year...ask me how I know.

- Increasing insurance deductibles to the legal limit?!? No pilot group has been allowed to strike since 2010 so odds of us going on strike are...well zero but accidents happen every day, all the time. So you want us to prepare for something that won't happen by increasing the payout on something that likely could happen? Who the hell wrote this? This is sound financial planning?!?

- Purchase a quality used vehicle. That's right because all of us are great shade tree mechanics and always buy "quality used cars" that never break down as opposed to getting something new/newer that has a warranty. Especially go down to a single car. What are the odds it'll break down, outside of any warranty right when you need to do something important like go to the hospital for an emergency or go to work for your next trip? I bet they're (the odds) higher than us going on strike.

- Home refinance. They of course have considered the perils of this one...like closing costs, recurring interest costs (ie extending your payback terms), etc. Seriously?

- Send little Susie to public schools in Memphis. Yup...that'll get ya lots of love for the rest of your life from your kids. Also, see the car thing above...you'll be needing said reliable vehicle to take your now traumatized child to lots and lots of therapy and just think of the costs associated with that! Ah, never mind, just pack her up with her peanut butter and cracker sandwich, tell her to grow a pair and quit being such a whining prima donna!

Good talk..

We'll mark you down as a "No" for the strike authorization vote. Thank you for your service.

Ask yourself…”Does my post help or hurt negotiations this week”?

I’m guessing this is your first negotiation, reach out to your mentor, maybe they can give you some guidance.

Speedy
 

They missed some ways to save money. Should of talked to Speedy. Where is Speedy when you need him.

They should have begun with: never take investment advice from a pilot!

and then: get your $hit together!

followed by: any questions, ask a professional money manager.

lastly: we are only as strong as our brokest d!ck. translation: we are weak, but let’s keep bluffing with talk of a strike vote, which, even if it passed, would never happen. Our federal gov would step in, an arbitrator would be next, and in a few years we’d be forced into a contract best serving corporate interests.

Happy Valentines Day, lovebirds. How many of you already wasted $ on flowers, that WE hauled from South America on yesterdays pay? I give my wife the sweet aroma of my charming personality, for free, every damn day.

ps, don’t take relationship advice from a pilot, either.

Come on man! You have to admit that most of that up date was cringe worthy. Who QAs these things. FedEx ALPA has lost its way. The same group of guys are sitting in a circle and agreeing with themselves. We are doomed.

Although I absolutely agree that the chances of us being allowed to strike for more than 10 seconds is almost zero, what exactly do you expect the Union to say? Don’t worry about it because there’s zero chance we’ll be allowed to strike? They have to play it like it’s going to happen. Maybe the comm could have been written better.

You must be related to my wife. She seems to infer things that were never said. I have my $hit in order and can take months off of work. And I drive a single busted ol' car that I wrench on myself. So I'd absolutely be a "yes" vote

Wow, you must think I'm one of the most influential people on the planet. I can see it now...all the major networks will have it. CNN, Fox, CNBC, the Farmer's Weekly out of Dubuque, IA..."Due to a recent post on APC by poster Gasnhaul FedEx Corp has now decided to immediate change its negotiations with its pilots. More to follow"

It isn't but thanks for guessing

This post was more intended for folks who haven't seen this before and when the union suddenly comes out and says do a bunch of stupid things based of a strike that they make sound like could happen any day might do something rash. If we do get to an actual strike it would take months if not years. Yes, get your things in order but what will the union have to say when someone says "You told me not to invest in my 401k and I missed making tens of thousands on one of the biggest stock rallies in history?" (NOT a prediction BTW, just hypothetical). Or someone pulls their kids out of a prodigious school and sends them to public school, effectively ruining their lives. (Again not saying public schools are bad but in Memphis??). The union will just say "well that wasn't really our intent..."

Ah, who am I kidding? The folks this post was meant for are all on JFs anyway. This site is only the same 20 or so goofballs (myself included) who like to sit around and argue with one another through a keyboard while munching Doritos in the basement...

Lol here come the union busting threads.

Honestly their suggested methods for saving, good or bad, are irrelevant at this point. We’ve all been told to get our house in order for a while now. There’s no excuse to not be ready at this point.