Is retro compensation taxed at the same higher rate that bonus pay is taxed at, or is at at your usual income tax rate?

It does matter. Even if it's a signing bonus that is the exact same dollar amount as 100% Retro, it still matters.

It's about setting a precedent. For all future negotiations for all Pilot Groups. It's about making 100% Retro industry standard.

If it's labeled as a "signing bonus," then the concept of signing bonuses continue to be industry standard. In the future, managements can offer whatever sub-standard bonuses they want, because that's the way it's always been done. Were NK pilots happy with their previous signing bonus? I wasn't here yet, but I get the impression that you weren't. Were all you ex-regional pilots happy with your signing bonus after a prolonged 5-8 year negotiation and whipsaw process?

If Retro becomes standard, then more pilot groups can demand it with less pushback from the company.

Why is this so hard to understand?

That retro word makes people feel all cozy inside. I can take a dump in a box and mark it "retro". Believe me, I've got spare time.

In all seriousness I'll buy the precedent argument.

This right here!! These additional dates are only a dangling carrot! They want it to look like they are trying to knock this contract out. Watch the speed of negotiations screech to a halt when summer peak ends. They want us to believe in this good faith move so we can get them over the hump. I'm not buying it.

They keep saying they want to close the negotiations up so that we can finally have the contract we deserve. Well, the ball is in their court. They know our terms. Sign the damn thing already.

Couldn't agree more! They could close the contract out very fast but the company has no desire to do so. You'll see the next meeting will be back to usual. :cool:

$50 hr/ Raise for 2 years (72 guarantee) would be $86,400 per pilot. Throw in what? Anther 50k for retro retirement and profit sharing. $136,400 per pilot plus $50,000 year raise seems highly plausible

STOP NEGOTIATING IN PUBLIC!!!!

That isn't nearly enough for most longevities. You need to delete your post.

Industry standard! Ask +! Not a penny less! The negotiating committee speaks for the group

It seems obvious that flyguy2002 started this thread with the intention of baiting our pilots.

Thats some fine trolling.

Not trying to troll; its been requested multiple times by guys, yourself included, to not negotiate in an open forum.

Edit: I don't know his real intentions so I should not have said it that way.