WhiteMorpheus

Did y'all get own occupation LTD in the new contract? If not, how does the LTD language read?

V1 McFlyerson

Own Occupation coverage beyond 2 years was not achieved.

- Frontier pays the total cost of LTD benefit.
- 8k max LTD monthly benefit.
- Coverage until FAA approves return to duty.
- 90 day elimination period.
- 60% benefit based off of 75 hours min guarantee up to 8k max.
- Benefit subject to offsets from other income.
- The financially inept can elect to not pay imputed income tax on the company paid premiums and then pay income tax on any benefit received.
- After 2 years you will remain disabled if you are unable to perform any occupation that has an earning potential greater than 60% or your indexed pre-disability earnings or the maximum monthly benefit if less.
- Must apply for Social Security Disability

I recall something (email or faq) that said the R&I Committee is working on outside buy-up / expanded coverage options or something to that effect.

Turbine

Dang that's unfortunate, definitely not close to the standard at other carriers. Better hope to not have an accident or loose a medical.

sdsunick1

Sounds like after 2 years it’ll be still difficult for them to say you can make 60% of your pay with our new contract rates. CA pay at over 200k is still 120k, I’m not sure what job I could make 120k a year at other than a pilot.

CantStayAway

There are lots of jobs that pay $120k. Sales is the first that comes to mind. You don’t even have to have a degree to make that kind of money in sales. Realty is another. Lots of realtors make 6 figures. Remember it’s not you who determines what you could make, it’s the insurance company.

Xdashdriver

You do have to be qualified for that occupation by education, training or experience in order for them to reduce your benefits.

sdsunick1

Just because there are 120K sales jobs it doesn’t mean that I could go out and get one because I have no training in sales or education. Point is that under the new rates, it’s not like they can find a job as easily as before. I haven’t even heard of any captains at our old rates getting bumped from LTD.

lowcountryflyer

This is correct ^^

PorkandBeans

Depending on the monthly budget, it's important to look at expenses after going out on LTD. If you have a family and the spouse doesn't work, the medical insurance costs can reduce your monthly income significantly.

A real time example is as follows:

Spouse is Captain - other spouse stays at home with three children - Frontier insurance coverage is as comprehensive as possible.

Frontier's monthly insurance bill after expiration of FMLA: 2300 bucks.

This leaves the monthly income to the family at 2700 bucks.

The above is from the old contract, but plug in the new numbers and contemplate the outcome.

I believe it's time to research and engineer a supplemental LTD which is not subject to offset by the provided LTD policy (and vice versa).

Sooner would be better than later.

By ALPA stats, 20% of pilots will lose their medical for a period of time in their careers.