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When we (LUAL) only had Alpa LTD available, I bought it. As soon as this new LTD plan was offered, I dropped the Alpa LTD insurance like a used prophylactic...

IMHO the only folks who should not take this new LTD plan are those who have enough in their sick bank to take them to normal retirement age if they happen to have something happen to cause them to lose their medical happen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slats Extend (Post 1509027)

why not keep both?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarge (Post 1509031)

why not keep both?

For my own situation, I would qualify for the max company benefit which is 8K/ month tax free. The Alpa insurance is expensive.

If, I would be not able to live very comfortably on the company LTD, I would most likely supplement with the Alpa insurance.

Again, this is my own situation...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airhoss (Post 1509017)

WS01,

Here is a sound piece of advice. In 2005 I had a neck injury that required extensive surgery and wound up keeping off the line for the better part of year. At the time we did not have LTD at UAL.

The event just about bankrupted me. Once you are out of sick list and vacation they would put you on Short term disability for three months back then. I spent about 6 months with no pay. At the time I was a 320 F/O making little money and had little to no savings.

The last thing you need when seriously sick or injured is the stress of trying to come up with enough money every week to feed your kids. You've got enough to worry about between trying to heal, medical appointments, PT, not being able to drive, ETC, ETC....

LTD is one of the finest enhancements to come along for this pilot group possibly ever! Don't waste it! My advice is that you buy the maximum amount of ALPA STD and do the company LTD. If you've ever priced outside private LTD insurance you'll find that this is dirt cheap and that buying outside LTD for Pilot is almost impossible unless you are willing to pay big bucks for small benefits.

Do the company LTD it's foolish not to.

This is true. The LTD benefit takes A LOT of stress off. If you ever decline it good luck getting back on it. As Hoss says it is money well spent.

Good advice, thanks.
I wouldn't go without ltd, I was just wondering which is a better value.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WS01 (Post 1509245)

Good advice, thanks.
I wouldn't go without ltd, I was just wondering which is a better value.

Don't forget the LTD is tax free money

the LTD plan I got (company's) 60% of pay(no tax) after 4 moths off. with my sick and vacation time I can get by for 6 months with no problems and I might still have a bout 1 mo of sick time left before having to burn any LTD. Had I had this when I lost My Medical I might still be flying. I needed 6 months to recover and I didn't have it. I recommend you don't short change yours for a matter of a few bucks. Buy a few fewer Starbucks Latte's and you'll never know the difference. Always overspend to be SAFE is my recomendation.

Positively the most grown up, useful thread I've ever read on this board. Thanks for the insights. I'm coming back in January and, thanks to this discussion, will definitely sign up for the company LTD. Hadn't given it any thought as I've been kicked in the a$$ with good health my entire life, but your anecdotes were just the wakeup call I needed.

Like others stated before do not drop the company LTD plan.

There is a much better LTD coverage offered by Lloyds of London, way cheaper than ALPA and Harvey Watt for the exact same coverage. pilotdisability.com. Guy that owns the company is a United pilot also.

All pilots are automatically enrolled in the LTD (no health screen, etc), you specifically have to opt out. If you do opt out, there are many hurdles to getting it back.