Just returned from a short cruise. Ahh, the sun, warm wind, beautiful sea all provided plenty of r & R. Sorry, about any delays in responses. Mark’s Tidbits
Download 82.13 Kb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Delta, Virgin Blue venture closer
- Airlines ratchet up holiday surcharges
- Who is Eligible
- Site Access
- Here are a few things to help you get started and gain immediate access
| High Life 013 PCN Home | Post to PCN | G-Group | Calendar | HL Archive | Sign Up 11/03/2009
PCN Services – High Life Newsletter, Event, Death, Illness, News Notices and PCN Calendar Large Web Community for World’s Largest Airline A merger on Aug 1, 2009 of RSP and Delta Retired Pilots Communication Network High Life For all Delta people who have truly touched the High Life/ Dear PCN, Group Section Mark’s Remarks:
On our way to registering 3000. The manually adding of subscribers to the g-group is complete, and I thank you for all the cooperation. Running this group is a task, but also a big honor to serve our community and I take it seriously. News Section Delta News (Recent stories of interest): Yahoo, AJC Monday, November 2, 2009, 11:00am EST
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is closer to approving a joint venture between Delta Air Lines Inc. and Virgin Blue Airlines Group on their flights between Australia and the United States. ACCC on Monday issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorization for the venture, under which the airlines coordinate pricing, revenue management, schedules, capacity and routes flown. Read More: http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/11/02/daily10.html?ana=yfcpc +++++++++++++++++ Delta CEO: 'Clear violation' involved in wayward flight Thu Oct 29, 2009
ATLANTA, Oct 29 (Reuters) - The chief executive of Delta Air Lines Inc said on Thursday that the pilots of a Northwest Airlines flight who overflew their destination would be dealt with by the carrier, as the use of laptops in the cockpit was a clear violation of company rules. Earlier this week, U.S. regulators revoked the licenses of the two Northwest pilots, who said they lost their bearings during an Oct. 21 flight while discussing company policy and using their laptops.
The pilots of Northwest Flight 188 from San Diego to Minneapolis lost contact with air controllers for more than an hour and overshot the Minneapolis-St Paul Airport by 150 miles (240 km), aviation officials said. "The best way that I can describe the incident to you is we don't operate our airplanes that way," Delta Chief Executive Richard Anderson said in a recorded message to employees on Thursday. "We operate professionally, we follow our standard operating procedures ..."
Anderson added that it was a "clear violation of our rules to have laptops open in a cockpit," and said the incident was an "anomaly." The pilots told the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that they "lost track of time" during a conversation on new crew schedules. They were also using their personal laptop computers as part of that discussion, officials said.
Delta earlier this week said it has suspended the pilots, identified as Timothy Cheney and Richard Cole, pending the outcome of the NTSB investigation and an internal company probe. "This is really a basic in flying an airplane, that you pay attention and that you act professionally," Anderson added in his message. "That crew did not and we'll deal with it accordingly." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
By Kelly Yamanouchi The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tuesday, November 03, 2009 A proposed change in the rules for union representation elections at airlines is adding tension to expected union votes at Delta Air Lines in the wake of its merger with Northwest Airlines. The National Mediation Board, which governs airline and railroad labor relations, wants to require that unions win a majority of votes only from those workers who cast ballots, rather than from a majority of all those eligible to vote. In most cases that would reduce the number of votes needed for a union to win. The board will formally publish the proposed rule today and take comments on the matter for 60 days. Read More: http://www.ajc.com/search/content//printedition/2009/11/03/nmb1103.html Other Airline News (Recent stories of interest):
Airlines ratchet up holiday surcharges, boosting extra cost on peak days to $20 each way
DALLAS (AP) -- If you plan to travel around the upcoming holidays, prepare to pay a little more -- again. Most of the largest U.S. airlines have increased a surcharge for travel on the busiest travel days to $20 each way, up from $10. The surcharges apply to a large number of flights within the U.S. on more than a dozen peak days around holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. Read More: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Airlines-ratchet-up-holiday-apf-422186858.html?x=0&.v=4 Finance Section (section containing items with financial consequence to our group): FINANCE: CLAIMS/PBGC/HCTC/INSURANCE/PLANNING/TAX/ESTATE Remaining financial items for retirees to watch: After Aug 2007 these are retirement items remaining with financial consequence. 1. 2. 3. Final claim distribution by DAL through BSI - pending (now likely in '10 according to Kight) 4. 5. Final PBGC re-calc "determination" of qualified annuity (likely after claim stock sale) - pending 6. Pension reinstatement/contribution request by DP3 representing the retired pilots. very long shot....pending 8. Expiration of HCTC 80% premium subsidy will expire on December 31, 2010. Insurance (issues about health, life or disability that are of interest):
Acknowledging that we are not trained in Delta's myriad Health Insurance options, and certainly not experts in the federal Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), we are nonetheless trying to provide some basic information that you can use in making your 2010 choices for health coverage. We have prepared a web page listing the questions we have been asked and the best answers we can obtain from the various sources available to the public. The Q&A is available through the link on the FAQ drop down menu on our home page (www.dp3.org) or by clicking this direct link here: http://www.dp3.org/ns/2010oeFAQ.html. Please remember that we are not experts, and as much as we'd like to, we can't make your decision for you. But we can share with you the process that some of the trustees have used to make their decisions. First, you need to be sure that you are eligible for the HCTC. If you are not, you should consider the high cost of the COBRA coverage before choosing that option. We can tell you that for those not eligible for HCTC (see the Q&A for guidance) the COBRA coverage is based on the DFCMP and is more expensive than the DPMP and has less coverage. Second, if you are eligible for the HCTC, we suggest that you investigate your state HCTC eligible program. Not all states have them, and the costs and benefits vary widely. Third, in order to compare the DAL plans you need to look at the benefit brochures. We have included them at the top of the Q&A page. DAL has not made this easy. First look at the 2010 Retiree Benefits Highlights. The current deductibles and other limits of the plans are there. Copy those numbers down, and then go to the Benefits Handbook, which was published in 2008. The details of the plans are in that brochure, but the deductibles and limits are not correct. You must apply the limits you copied down from the Highlights brochure. To find out details of the drug plan, you must go to the UHC web page and find the drug calculator to find out whether prescriptions you have are covered, and how much they will cost you under the Delta plans. This is by no means all of the information you should be comparing, but it gets you past the more confusing parts of the process. Finally, we are aware of two possible glitches in the enrollment process. Some retired pilots are not showing the COBRA option on their paperwork - if you think you are eligible and do not have the option, call the Delta ESC. Also, when switching from the HVO to the Age65 COBRA option, sometimes you cannot de-select the HVO option, and it appears you are signing up for both. Again, call the ESC to ensure you have completed the selections properly. If you have additional questions not covered here, please send them to us using our contact form: http://www.dp3.org/ns/ns/contact.html and we will do our best to find the answer and post it on the FAQ. Some key points to remember. The DP3 VEBA will not be available during this year's open enrollment period. The HCTC rules are very specific and well documented on their web site. Premium payments must be made on time or you risk losing both the COBRA deal and the HCTC. The HCTC Customer Contact Center (1-866-628-4282) is staffed with very professional and helpful agents, but they are very busy with applications resulting from the ARRA act, and they are already about 6-8 weeks behind; so be prepared to make the full premium payments for at least 2 months before you start your HCTC benefit if you choose the new COBRA option. We Need Your Help Please check our web site and BLOG frequently, as we routinely post documents and reports of interest to the membership that enhance or supplement the information contained in our email messages. The Documents section contains all recently posted documents, such as meeting minutes and letters from Delta like the one referenced here. Please take the time to read and review all the posts in the Documents folder. And remember, the BLOG is our FAQ, and is fully searchable if you have questions about much of the work we are doing. Also, if you have retired pilot friends who are not on our mailing list, please tell them about DP3's recent activities and ask them to join you in helping us restore our lost benefits. Make sure they know about this new Q&A resource, too. The easiest way is to click the "Forward this email to another retired Delta pilot" link under my signature below to pass this message along. Sincerely, Will Buergey DP3 Chairman ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Bill Pantesco Email wjjp@earthlink.net Issue Area --- Insurance Comments --- I have been trying to find out info from Delta about the administrator for the new Cobra option. I understand it is SHPS. Is that correct? Does anyone know their contact info (address or phone #)?
+++++++++++++++++ From: readam@att.net Date: 10/27/2009 8:23:40 PM To: Mark Sztanyo Subject: 2010 Delta Insurance Hi Mark, I just spent half a day trying to figure out the Delta medical benefits for retirees, in paticular the "one time only" Cobra offering for those of us who were under age 60 when the bankruptcy occurred. For some this could be a good deal (editor addition- particular those with a pre-existing condition). For me it is a slightly or more bad deal. One thing for sure, it's a GREAT deal for Delta. My HCTC plan in Ohio costs $886 per month, of which the IRS pays 80%. That's for a $500 deductible plan for me, my spouse, and my daughter. After that it's 20% co-pay to a maximum out of pocket of $2500 per person or $5000 family maximum. All of which is way better than the Delta FCMP offered as Cobra. Downside is twofold - there is a maximum $1,000,000 lifetime limit per person and it only covers generic drugs ($15 copay). I'm 60 and hopefully won't need the lifetime limit. My daughter will be out of college and on her own in a couple of years. That will reduce the total premium a little more. Cobra would end for me in 5 years anyway. Why pay more just so Delta gets a GREAT deal? My benefit choices include an age 65 Cobra Standard and an age 65 Cobra High Value. I have absolutely no idea what those are. Cobra coverage is supposed to end at age 65. I could find nothing on the DeltaNet to explain either. There was something about age 65 Cobra pertaining to Medicare part D, which covers drugs, but can't imagine paying $579/month for supplemental drug coverage after age 65. Maybe it has something to do with the "Lifetime Cobra" that was given to the members of the 1114 committee who screwed all of us under age 60. Don't know but would like to hear from somebody that does. Bob
Editor: I thank my good friend Bob, for adding his two cents. On the “after 65 Cobra”, it is my understanding that that is “secondary” insurance, much in the same mode as a Medicare supplement plan. Secondly, while I thank the DP3 for efforts on our behalf to relieve distressed pilot’s health insurance costs, this opt back in option may only prove to be of minimal benefit, and not in the pilot’s best interest. I would guess that the majority of retirees are in Bob’s and my situation, where it is actually cheaper and with comparable (if not better) coverage to remain with the state qualified plan. Or another words not to opt back in. With regard to the good deal for Delta I also agree that increasing the size of the insured pool, with government premium subsidies of those on the HCTC, would likely be a beneficial thing for the company. Each will have to review their own situation and act on what they deemed best. Pension:
Note from Mark concerning Delta Pilots Disability & Survivorship Plan: I wrote a compilation, (I called an expose in 2008) pre-dominantly to help myself sort out issues surrounding the D & S Trust. I have been in council with experts and individuals in the know on this area and hope have a new and revised document soon. Mark +++++++++++++++++++++++++ From: Donald Pedrazzini Date: 10/28/2009 1:16:11 PM Subject: Western Airlines Retirement Plan Hi All,
I hope this information will help those of you that are looking for your missing entitlements. Regards, DonPedrazzini Question: Hi Bob,
Several pilots that did not get their monies at the time have now retired and applied for Social Security. They are being told that they have funds that are owed to them by the terminated plan but no one seems to know where these funds are. I am trying to help them locate these missing funds. Any information that you might provided would be extremely helpful in this effort.
Don,
I would also suggest contacting California Bank & Trust (Trust Dept. 415.875.1400 ?), who acquired Sumitomo Bank of California I believe in 1999, & request retrieval of files to determine what happened with the final disposition of funds for participants who could not be located. Finally, I am surprised that the Social Security office (that indicated funds are outstanding from a terminated Plan) did not identify & direct where the individuals should go to claim the proceeds. I would question if the Department of Labor "DOL" (415.975.4600 ?) has any information as to where individuals might go to claim Plan benefits that were not delivered. I hope this is of some assistance as you work on behalf of your colleagues in locating their potential Plan balances. Best regards, Bob Gajewski Robert H. Gajewski Sr. Vice President Comerica Bank MC 4195 250 Lytton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301 Direct Dial (650) 462-6166 Fax (650) 328-9317 _________________________________________________________________________________ Commercial Section Investment (Many legitimate firms have helped our group. They are encouraged to contact PCN to add articles here): Section reserved for future content. Travel & Non-Revving (share a quick reco): Editor: Below you will see a tool that “may” allow you to receive some discounts when traveling as a result of Delta’s industry standing. I HAVE BEEN ASKED BY A NUMBER FOR A HOTEL LIST OF ACTIVE HOTELS WITH DAL DISCOUNTS………ResX HELPS WITH THAT! I joined and found that on my searches my own travel site was as good or better in most circumstances. Definitely worth checking out, but shop and compare. Mark DeltaNet - Newsline New ResX tool offers expanded travel discounts October 27, 2009 ( Who is Eligible? All active Delta employees and retirees.) A new leisure travel tool on DeltaNet now offers even more valuable travel bargains and perks for Delta employees. The new ResX Delta Leisure Travel page offers employees expanded hotel and car rental deals from Delta’s Discounts page under Employee Connection in an updated format to make it easier to use and navigate. The vendor - Nationwide Hospitality Inc. - is the same one Delta uses for the BizTrip site for business travel bookings. The site has the similar BizTrip look and feel but is designed for personal leisure travel. “As Delta employees we all enjoy our travel privileges, and now we can travel and stay for less with access to more hotel and car rentals through ResX,” said Charlotte Johnson, general manager-Benefits. “This new tool is in addition to the wide array of discounts that employees already receive through the Sparkfly site and the other products and services available on our Discounts page.” The premiere of ResX is part of a larger redesign of the DeltaNet Discounts site, which features the Sparkfly discount tool and other ongoing discount offers, including shipping, retail and electronics. “Offering even better travel discounts is just one more way we can make Delta a great place to work,” Charlotte said. “It’s what winning together is all about!” See Also: Check out the redesigned Discount page under Employee Info. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RESX Leisure Travel October 27, 2009 Delta employees and retirees can take advantage of Delta’s corporate supplier relationships for great deals on hotels and car rentals for personal leisure travel. Who is Eligible?All active Delta employees and retirees. PaymentsAll reservations and payments are completed online and any agreements or contracts made by employees or retirees on the Delta Leisure Travel site are the sole responsibility of the employee or retiree. Site AccessThe Delta Leisure Travel site can be accessed through the link below or by accessing www.resx.com directly. Please read the instructions below for information on creating your LeisureTrip site login. Enter the Delta Leisure Travel site by clicking https://www.resx.com Because Delta appreciates all of your hard work and dedication, the company has partnered with Nationwide Hospitality, our BizTrip vendor, to provide expanded car rental and hotel deals.
The Delta Leisure Travel site is for personal travel only; employees should continue to use BizTrip for business travel arrangements Access the Delta Leisure Travel site by going to https://www.resx.com
If you have any questions or difficulties with the process, please call the Nationwide Travel Desk at 1-877-241-7829 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. See Also: LeisureTrip Login Instructions - printable version LeisureTrip Wallet Card _________________________________________________________________________________ Life Section Cares and Concerns: Illness Misc Posts: From: richard hinkley Date: 10/27/2009 11:45:13 AM To: mark@pilotcommunication.net Subject: Roth IRA
I set up a Roth IRS when the opportunity presented itself with non IRA funds of my own. I have taken some of the appreciation of that money 2 or 3 times. Now I'm in a dilemma. My financial advisor is not sure if I am incurring a penaty from the IRS by taking the money out before 5 years have passed. My tax man doesn't know either. He says wait until I get my 1099 and see how it's coded. Some say there is a formula the IRS uses if you take money out early from a Roth.
The IRS publication whatever is unclear to me and my helpers. My question is am I going to be penalized for taking out money before 5 years have gone by for a Roth set up under "The Worker and Retiree and Employer Recovery Act (sec 125) passed Dec. 23, 2008 ? If so how much ? Thanks, Dick Hinkley
Mark: I have this email address (mark@sztanyo.com) in my address book and I see on the website a different address (markstanyo@gmail.com) Which one do you prefer? Ben Truesdale btruesdale@cox.net Ben, Thanks for asking. I get ‘em all. But if it is regarding the PCN I now prefer mark@pilotcommunication.net Thanks again. +++++++++++++++++ Subject: Be Careful (Safety note) (Thanks Bob, fly safe!) A safety note...........all devices plugged into auto outlets lets should be unplugged once the auto is turned off. Hi All, As some of you may know, we had a pretty scary incident recently. This fire resulted from leaving an Iphone charger/docking station plugged into the car outlet. It overheated and started a fire, while parked in our garage. PLEASE unplug anything you have in your car outlets once you turn off your car! We were VERY fortunate that we accidentally found the fire, at 11pm, before going to bed and before it spread to the house. None of our garage heat detectors or house fire alarms went off (another item to take care of on my to do list). Human Interest: Subj: US Arrogance...? (Thanks Gary)
Good Read (Please share a quick reco about a good book you just read): Event Announcements (Click here for PCN Org & Groups Page):
THIS IS PRETTY BASIC ADVICE; BUT, IN TODAY'S TIMES, I CAN SEE IT COULD LEAVE AN OPEN DOOR FOR PASSING OUT YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION.
WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U..S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home. Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau. Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau. For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit _www.bbb.org_ (http://www.bbb.org/) ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Holidays in the Hangar 2009 is Thursday, November 12th, from 9a-4p in Historic Hangar 2 at Delta’s general office complex. With over 40 vendors offering a smorgasbord of items, you should be able to find something for everyone on your gift list. This will also be your LAST CHANCE until next year to purchase the catering items!! Samples of merchandise for sale and items in the Silent Auction will be on display in the Museum Store starting Monday, November 2nd. Stop by, check it out and be ready to shop ‘til you drop. The Museum Store is located in Historic Hangar 1 at Delta’s General Office complex and is open Monday – Thursday, 9a-4p. Hope to see you soon, Judy Judy Bean Heritage Museum Store Manager 404-773-1219 Judy.M.Bean@Delta.com Good Deal/Bad Deal (Share a quick good deal or bad deal you have found – no commercials here!) Hangar Flying (Share a bit of ole hangar flying with the net) :
Let me see if I understand all this! (Thanks Tom) IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU
IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY. BUT, IF YOU CROSS THE U.S. BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET A DRIVERS LICENSE, SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, WELFARE, FOOD STAMPS, AND FREE HEALTH CARE. I guess I still don't understand! ++++++++++++++++++++ And so David Letterman Monday night offered the Top Ten Northwest Airlines Pilot Excuses on CBS. (Here’s a link to the video.) 10. Bunch of fat guys seated on the right side of the plane made us vector east.
++++++++++++++++++++++ My son recently turned me on to the comedy of Tim Hawkins. The guy is brilliant and I think he is hilarious. Here are 3 of his offerings that I hope you enjoy:
While this one has a political bent, I share it for its caliber of humor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO2eh6f5Go0&NR=1&feature=fvwp _____________________________________________________________ Mark Mark Sztanyo, PCN Dir Pilot Communication Net Contact the Net
Serving the Delta community, and pilots (active and retired) and their families, including original Delta, and former: Northeast, Pan-Am, Western, NWA, Republic, North-Central, Southern Airways, Hughes- Airwest, and all the Delta Connection carriers.
Delta Pilots Pension Preservation Organization - http://www.dp3.org Delta Museum & Fly-in information - http://www.deltamuseum.org Delta Pioneers - http://www.deltapioneersinc.com/ Delta Golden Wings - http://www.deltagoldenwings.com/ Delta Retiree Connection - http://www.dlretiree.info Delta Retirement Committee - http://www.dalrc.org/ DAL Pilots DDPSA - http://www.ddpsa.com/ Delta Extra Net Portal -http://dlnet.delta.com/ To assure receiving the High Life set spam filters to accept from @pilotcommunication.net. To Unsubscribe simply click and send with unsubscribe in subject line. Directory: files files -> Answer True False 2 points Question 2 files -> Integer programming and game theory files -> 4 Integer Programming files -> Bpa vehicle Window Repair Scenario #1 task: Procure vehicle window relacement. Objective files -> Pop Warner History files -> North Carolina Inclusion Initiative Mapping Where Children with ieps are Being Served Purpose files -> Fall 2013 Spring 2014 Program Data: Standard 1 Exhibit 4d files -> Hanban – asia society confucius classrooms network 2010 request for proposal files -> Northern England’s set-jetting locations Download 82.13 Kb. Share with your friends:
|
From: btruesdale