Purple Bros/Sisters:

I'm coming up on the end of my probationary year. It's time to look at the array of insurance benefits I can purchase from the company or from ALPA. I've been at two other airlines, one of which (AA) had very similar benefits to FedEx and ALPA's. But there are many more choices now than there were seven years ago.

I realize the company pays for a $800k life insurance policy, $15k of AD&D, and $150k for travel insurance. Do any of you purchase any more life insurance from the company or ALPA? Any advice? I'm currently in the Air Force Reserve with the $400k SGLI. I'll probably stay in the reserves another four years.

How about the LOL/LOL Plus and the LOL Lump Sum? My former carrier just had up to $3,600 in LOL bennies, but the lump sum looks like a good deal. The premiums sure jump up (double) at age 40, though.

How about the additional ALPA 10-year level term life insurance, group term, extended disability, short-term disability, long-term care, and AD&D? It looks like you can spend your entire check on insurance.

I'm 39, wife and two young kids, good health (I did have a heart issue five years ago, it's been corrected, I hold a first class with no restrictions and no medications), medium-sized mortgage, savings that has been wracked by furlough and probation and two age-65 parents in OK health.

Just for reference, what do you all purchase for benefits and what do you recommend for me?

Thanks in advance.

Fred

Just call the union office and ask them to take a survey and then tell you what is best for you regardless of what the survey results say?. I'm sure they will be glad to tell you what is best for you. After all, that's what they do.

Why did I honestly think I'd get some sound advice on this forum?

Fred,

Your a little sharp on the reply.....
Everyone has different wants and different needs. We ALL have to do homework on this every year just like you do....There are no hard and fast rules on what YOU personally want. That is for you to decide.

Fred,

Being military, I'm assuming you're a member of USAA. If that's the case, I'm sure they could help you do some financial planning, which in my opinion, is what you need. It doesn't matter what other guys here have or don't have for insurances. What matters for you is your situation, financials, and what you and your wife agree will be needed in case you can't work, or don't survive. Any of the large insurance companies can provide a financial planner, to sit down with you and go over your needs. You're under no obligation to buy their products (of course, they'd like it if you did) to get this service, and it does have value. As well, if you look in the yellow pages, or Google "financial planning in TN (or your state or city), you'll find lots of "for hire" Certified Financial Planners, who will, for a fee, help you with the process. The good thing about this approach is that although you pay an upfront fee, the recommendations made will usually better fit your needs than those recommendations made by an insurance company's agent. As for loss of license insurance, you can get that at any number of insurance companies as well. You really need to do some shopping around, as plans and terms vary widely, as does cost. I wouldn't be in a hurry to buy from ALPA, but I'd certainly look at their plans and match them with others that are available.

Good luck, it's a lengthy and tedious task, but one that should be done every year or two as your family's needs change.

I've got most of the Fedex stuff, but I also got life insurance through AAFMAA, which is term life insurance for 35$ a month, 800K. USAA will not insure you at very high levels due to you being a pilot and in the military. Kind of crappy, ubt that's the rules for them. I think it's worth looking into. I was also able to insure my spouse. Some guys don't insure their wives with life insurance, but, God forbid, something happened, child care and/or nannies aren't free.

I'm with Deuce AAFMAA is the way to go. As far as loss of medical is concerned, I go with the Murphy's law theory: If you have it, you don't need it but if you don't...

Get the Harvey Watt insurance through our MEC.

A little sharp on my reply? Excuse me, sir, I was just responding with the same sarcasm I received. May I not respond to sarcasm with sarcasm?

For those of you that responded with some advice, I appreciate your time and effort. I'm not asking you to solve my problems for me, I'm just asking what FedEx/ALPA insurance products you use and what you think the advantages and disadvantages are. Nothing more. Just like if I asked you what graphite driver you use or what size shot you prefer for mallards.

This brings to mind something I've noticed at this company in the past year; the lack of mentorship by captains towards their first and second officers. At American, captains took pride in mentoring their FOs/SOs. They made sure they knew the contract, knew why things were in the contract and explained the sacrifices that were made to get things in the contract. They made sure you knew how to bid, how to fill out an expense report, and how to get a limo in EWR in the middle of the night. In short, how to be a better pilot and union member. Here, most of the time, it's an old indian ritual.

I'm sure someone will say something really helpful like, "Why don't you just go back to American?"

The truth is, I like it here. This is a great company. I just wish we looked out for each other a little better.

FWIW, I spent all day yesterday making phone calls and doing the research on what insurance programs are best for me and my family. I'll make sure and share that knowledge if a new guy asks me someday.

Fred

Yeah ... you're about a year late for that on this board. It used to be different.