Trust me guys, you don’t have the worst LTD. That honor goes to AA pilots. We have an Offset limitation in which, if the company determines that you are capable of earning 80% of your AA pilot earnings, you get dumped off LTD in a flash.
We are desperately trying to change this (BK contract leftover.)

Agreed...in the final quarter, I now approach each medical with trepidation.

As to stats: just one guy’s anecdotal observation. Over the last three and a half years, about 1500 guys have retired. During that time, my “projected retirement seniority” has gone up by only an additional 35 numbers or so.

That looks like 98% of guys make it, to this spectator.

Yeah, that 50% can't be right....It would be interesting to know..
This is all thumbnail math but the calculation I was thinking of would be from hire date to retirement. Also, if a pilot is on LTD they do not come off the seniority list until retirement so I am pretty sure the projection calculator wouldn't be affected. The 35 that disappeared may have had other reasons to be removed. Hopefully, hitting the lotto, windfall in the stock market or something good like that....

It’s not really about best or worst. This is a place in the contract that deserves to be revisited. Obviously if it is over funded at our recent premium there is room to work out a benefit increase too.

Good luck over at AA. LTD is a vastly important thing to an airline pilot. This coming from a guy who spent almost a year with no income due to an injury in the days before UAL had LTD. All we had at the time was Permenant Disability which I did not qualify for. I was seriously injured, I couldn’t use my left arm for almost 6 months, and was on serious narcs for pain( neck injury). I was told by UAL, tough luck, I guess you’ll need to find another job. I was told by ALPA legal, that sucks I guess you’ll need to find another job.

It also doesn’t go up with inflation. Something happens to you 10-15 years out, and you’ll have diminishing ability to pay the bills for the rest of your working life, unless a new contract specifically takes care of you. You’re still stuck at the percentage of your pay you made when you lost your medical.

Nobody want to fund “those feeble guys who couldn’t hack it” until they are one. I don’t know anyone out on medical that wouldn’t rather be back working at their airline.

Daayum. Glad you got better and came back!

Thanks! It was not a fun time.

So would I, but I'd wager that people wouldn't be in a rush to come back to work if the benefits were substantially greater.

There are times that you don’t want rush back to work for medical reasons. I really would have been better off with an additional 6 months with my injury. As it was I simply lived with the pain, went back to work and kept my mouth shut because I needed the income.

But I understand your comment too.

I came back too early twice, but never was off over 3 months to get LTD. Just under 3 months both times. I should have stayed off both times.

But the other comment is also very very true. The more lucrative the benefit, the more people will use the benefit, and for longer. That costs those that aren't on it premium money.

I believe this would fall under the "law of unintended consequences". What are we willing to pay? Over 50, I can't believe 100% of us couldn't have a valid reason to not pass a medical, if not a half a dozen "conditions".

I am not sure what the best compromise is as far as premiums/benefits.

As a side not I can easily live on 8k a month. I have only made more than that after tax about 6 years out of 22 at United. I am 2 months from 55, have never even thought of being able to afford a vacation home, or airplane. The job has not been that secure.