The only carrier to experience a serious pilot shortage was Munchkin Airlines. They solved it with booster seats. :D

I agree and have flown with some of those good senior guys. That's why I don't advocate what I said (jokingly) and was obviously at fault for making generalities. Best to ignore the scab population and focus on the rest of the pilot group and what would be best for us.

Lump Sum
 

It would help if you knew ERISA laws and your contract. The lump sum provision can not be negotiated away. Distressed termination or funding level requirements can remove the option. To alter the plan it would require the plan to be unfrozen and brought to current liability......not a chance.

Might as well move on to another subject :D

Count me in as one of those guys. Voted No and will again if EVERYBODY isn't taken care of.

Stumbled upon a pizza party in the EWR CPO. Stank says company is presenting their proposal to ALPA by week's end, fwiw. The pizza was good, but I didn't eat $30K worth. Try again.

I'm betting on the 2 1/2% pay raise. OF course, unless it gets leaked, we will never see it.

It's not a junior vs senior. Just unhappy now vs quite happy with things the way they are. It just so happens that the majority are in the left seat. We all lost hundreds of tousands of dollars in retirement and age 65 gave everyone the chance to try and ger some of that back. Poor example. I would rather get it back with a smokin-hot, kick-ass, industry leading, top-notch, knock every one else in the industry dead, badass contract. But I digress.....................

What's sad though is that MANY of those who have lump sums at CAL are playing the "waiting game" because they are so damn greedy. A lot of them are so far in debt, have three ex wives, a boat, a Harley, and a girlfriend on the side. If they couldn't prepare for retirement in 35 years, then another 5 won't help them either. I'm TIRED of hearing that they can't live on a $700,000 lump sum at this stage in their lives. What the hell are they doing with all their money? I'd like to see an industry leading contract too. I hope to be gone by 58 at the latest and only have 5.5 years left make it happen. However, that DAMN age 65 rule REALLY did a number on me and I find myself making almost $2,000 a month LESS after being pushed back on reserve, thereby putting a damper on me paying off my property so I CAN leave early...............:(

I agree. My buddy at UPS says he heard the same thing during their negotiations. "I can't afford to retire until we get this contract." Then what happens? They still didn't retire because they couldn't afford to. He flew with a captain over 60 who had just bought a $70K car and bragged about it while at the same time saying he can't retire.

These guys never learn their lessons. They live beyond their means. I am not a financial genius, but I do feel I spend and invest wisely. Why is it on the **** wage I make as an FO I can save 30% of my gross pay each year and yet I don't live like a pauper or anything close to it?

There was one in IAH a few weeks ago too. Luckily I arrived after the Abbot Song and Dance and managed to have a few slices right at meal time. Saved me from spending a few bucks in the food court too.

Ah, the pizza parties. I hear they are making them so cheap no one will buy what (management) is selling.