Originally Posted by bogeydriver

They still have 16 months to get a deal so that we can snap up with them. That's actually a long time in the current construct of their negotiations. Delta management has no incentive to wait until after 1/1/18 to sign a deal since that would give UAL a competitive advantage via lower pilot pay. I believe they will get a deal done by spring at the latest.

Originally Posted by Dragon7

Friends over there are pretty firm that they will give no concessions on PS. And there is one in this deal about lessening the PS DC. They are slightly less zealous on scope. They keep telling me we have a whole lot more WB flying.

One of the big reasons i chose to come here was of the 4 majors, UAL has the least contentious pilot group internally. Those DAL guys have issues wrapped in issues and no consensus way ahead except don't touch my PS. I don't think the UAL ALPA is ever going to be the family reunion, but it is going forward. And the folks i disagree with most of the time have a lot of knowledge that i have tapped into. Those other places, not so much.

And we may never get a penny of Delta catch up, but we got it in the contract and that is huge. We make it better next time. And put an automatic 4% raise in January 1st of every amenable year too.

Originally Posted by CHAIRMAN

So not incorrect, if you die, your wife dies, and you didn't have children or dependents, does the money go to the pilots estate or is donated back to the plan. I personally lower my contributions as to not go over the 415 53k limit. And take the money from my paycheck and invest other wise.

Originally Posted by ReadyRsv

We don't even know the definition of "dependent" in this instance... I, for one, look forward to unlimited face lifts and hair implants while residing in my extra pricey fogey shelter.

Originally Posted by APC225

I don't like that there is a scenario in which my estate loses those funds. OTOH money in that account is permanently tax sheltered. It is pretax going in and then not taxed when spent. So every dollar deposited is an instant and permanent gain by whatever your tax bracket is now, or might be later. There aren't many investments that have a guaranteed gain of 20% to 30%. In addition, the investment gains within the fund are also exempt (6.19% YTD). Risk is total loss to the estate, so there is that. Someone who earns enough that maxing out the 401k creates spillage into the VEBA may be in a financial position to accept that risk.