The fund choices in the 401k, by and large, fall between mediocre and suck. I wouldn't recommend any of them, save the Vanguard S&P index.

BUT our 401k plan itself does have one fantastic feature, that everyone should know about, the PCRA.

https://client.schwab.com/Login/Sign...terLogin.aspx?

It's basically a brokerage account within your 401k. With PCRA you can buy any stock, mutual fund or ETF you want, but you'd be best to stick with the Schwab low-cost mutual funds and ETF's, as there's no commission or fees generally.

NOW (save for an enemic match) we have a 401k that's really quite amazing.

You'll have to call Schwab directly to have them set you up.

 

I am well aware. I'll pay for better performance though, and the funds I have have beaten their benchmarks & the S&P for 3,5, & 10 year periods (minus my bond holdings and international funds).

 

I have put most of my 401K money into healthcare for several years now. Last year I made 20% and that was a bad year. If you sell on highs and buy back in on pull backs you can do much better. Index funds and target retirement date funds just wont cut it.

Healthcare will eventually head south so just be ready to change with the market. If you just park your 401k money thinking that some day it will grow on its own, you are wrong.

 

Thanks for all the financial advice guys. But can we get back to fighting and complaining? i'm getting bored.

 

Ok... by special request...

Regarding the latest scheduling committee email: they did a good job explaining WHY open time WITHIN 2 days is handled the way it is; what was missing was WHY some open time OUTSIDE of 2 days DOES NOT show up at all. And how a trip drop can trigger a flica alert, then that trip becomes unpublished.

 

Something is afoot to increase reserve utilization and stop/hamper others from racking up high credit. This is only possible with the hiding of open time. But if this is occurring, rest assured the company is saving big time on payroll.

I don't know what our MEC's role may or may not be in all of this. I'd be interested to know more though.

 

Well I can't get them to give me access to the red/green grid or ANY open time. I've sent several requests to crew plan to correct this in Flica and no correction or response whatsoever.

I've looked in the CBA but can't find a reference where we are required to have access to that information. Anyone have a suggestion? I'm happy to file an NCC over this, but I need supporting documentation out of the CBA before I do it.

 

Just spitballing here but are you out of training, if not then you will not have any access to those features until released to the line.. just an idea.

good luck

 

Maybe I'm not understanding what you're are saying.

Are you new to the company and they just haven't turned on those functions for you in Flica yet?

"View Reserve Grid" under Daily Open Time is the Red/Green Grid

 

If open time outside of two days is being hidden then we have a major issue and I'd love to know if it's really happening.

The trips inside of two days are now falling in line with how the contract was written. Unfortunately or fortunately it took them five years to follow it. It does increase reserve flying and decrease over time flying for line holders. I mentioned this would happen when the Skywest guy took over the OCC this past summer. It was his only airline and he was there for 20 years I think. The Skywest way is to have every pilot including reserves flying right at guarantee.

This is all the more reason why our rates need to come WAY up and we to stop relying on these rediculous credits to make money.

You hear that NC? I'm $53 an hour underpaid for the same aircraft in my seat! NOT including SCOPE, retirement, and LTD.