buyouts?

[vantheman63]

There are no flight benefits unless you would have qualified for it anyway, e.g. 25 year Gold Pass or the 65 Point Plan.

Ahhh....thanks for the correction...

That makes sense....and the person I know had the 65 point plan covered....23.5 years of service, 45 years of age.

Thanks for the clarification.

FWIW....I would still maintain that "getting out if you hate it" is what's best....I am CP on US, Platinum on CO and the only 3 airlines (domestically) I didn't fly in 2007 were B6, F9 and FL.....I don't ride in coach or upgrade on transcon and I fly back and forth between PVD and SFO/OAK/SMF at least once, if not twice a month....paid F....in November, I did it 3 times.....plus twice a year to Europe....and I have reason to visit BGI at least once a year if not more....the litmus test is: 3 hours +, I pay for F.

All of that flying cost me alone around $35,000....and it might have actually been $32,000.

Now, I do use miles for tix occassionally....and for upgrades.....(I own the companies I manage so I don't mind saving us the money. My employees are not required to spend their miles on biz.) I do count on my CP and CO PE upgrades for east coast flying and get them, normally....

But the point is this: To earn TOP TIER on two airlines, fly (nearly) every airline and sit up front....for $32K-$35K or so....that is a TON of flying the average person in a new career would not do.

So, if the person who wanted out, but did not do so because of a non-rev pass that is worth less and less every day....thats a disconnect for me. Buying air travel isn't that much.

Interesting learning how people think....

 

[songbirdstew]

I have heard of two PIT people who will be taking it, and that's only because they were quitting anyway. The company really should have added flight benefits.

Absolutely...I was going to take it as soon as I heard about it but then I saw that you had to have the 25/45 or 65 point plan to get flying bennies....I'm sorry but this is the only occupation that if you're here long enough, you get flying benefits when you leave....I miss the 65 point plan by about 14 months. So, I'm staying until then...they can keep their measly 20k. I know others who would have left if they had included flying. AFA tried to get them to agree but they said no. So much for them really wanting to get rid of us....

 

[USCREW]

Absolutely...I was going to take it as soon as I heard about it but then I saw that you had to have the 25/45 or 65 point plan to get flying bennies....I'm sorry but this is the only occupation that if you're here long enough, you get flying benefits when you leave....I miss the 65 point plan by about 14 months. So, I'm staying until then...they can keep their measly 20k. I know others who would have left if they had included flying. AFA tried to get them to agree but they said no. So much for them really wanting to get rid of us....

I'm in the same boat...

This week-end, my friend D'Vell was non-revving on my flight with his wife and three kids. He had exactly ten years when they offered the last buy-out of cash and flights for life. So, I have more than twice his seniority but do not meet either requirements. If I leave today, I'd get no flight benefits. I don't think so.

 

[USCREW]

So, if the person who wanted out, but did not do so because of a non-rev pass that is worth less and less every day....thats a disconnect for me. Buying air travel isn't that much.

Interesting learning how people think....

I'd have to disagree about the cost of travel. Since the beginning, I've used my flying benefits a lot--and I mean going long distance every month. My parents travel to Asia very often as well as Europe to visit family. I'm close to getting lifetime benefits and don't plan on leaving without them. I couldn't care less about the cash incentive.

 

[songbirdstew]

I'd have to disagree about the cost of travel. Since the beginning, I've used my flying benefits a lot--and I mean going long distance every month. My parents travel to Asia very often as well as Europe to visit family. I'm close to getting lifetime benefits and don't plan on leaving without them. I couldn't care less about the cash incentive.

I'm with you...I keep in mind that if sometime down the road there is a lot of carrier consolidation then ticket prices could rise a lot. To me it's a matter of principle...21 years with a company and darn it, I want to leave with SOMETHING ! Perhaps if they don't get their 314 they'll reconsider...wishful thinking I know.

 

[USCREW]

I've got all my ducks lined up, just waiting for the right moment!

 

[vantheman63]

I'd have to disagree about the cost of travel. Since the beginning, I've used my flying benefits a lot--and I mean going long distance every month. My parents travel to Asia very often as well as Europe to visit family. I'm close to getting lifetime benefits and don't plan on leaving without them. I couldn't care less about the cash incentive.

Well, that makes a lot of sense....

I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope that perk doesn't go away....like the pension and all the other things....

Part of it too is that I'm 6'3" and 250.....I just don't fit in Y. I can do it for a couple hours, but from LAX-AUK or something like that....PHL-BCN....no way can I ride in Y.

I have, believe it or not, done more than my fair share of pass riding....

 

[USCREW]

Well, that makes a lot of sense....

I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope that perk doesn't go away....like the pension and all the other things....

Part of it too is that I'm 6'3" and 250.....I just don't fit in Y. I can do it for a couple hours, but from LAX-AUK or something like that....PHL-BCN....no way can I ride in Y.

I have, believe it or not, done more than my fair share of pass riding....

My husband is 6'5'' and 250. We try to fly in first whenever possible. I don't see the 'perk' going away unless we liquidate.

 

[YVINTERN]

Pass riding on US is getting less fun each time.