jimntx

F/O wakes up from nap disoriented. Puts plane into emergency dive (into path of oncoming a/c).


CNN Story

Republicans Reveal that Entire Presidential Race was a Prank
April Fool’s Day Announcement Brings Practical Joke to an End

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) – In an April Fool’s Day announcement that took the political world by storm, the Republican Party revealed today that its entire presidential race had been an elaborate prank.

“April Fool!” exclaimed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum at a press conference in Washington, where they were joined by fellow merrymakers Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry and Herman Cain.

Moments after revealing that the GOP primary had been one long practical joke, Mr. Santorum explained the rationale behind staging such a complicated and expensive prank.

“A lot of Americans are suffering right now and need a good laugh,” he said. “I think my colleagues and I can be justifiably proud of the entertainment we provided – even if it meant me wearing these ridiculous sweater vests.”

Former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain agreed that the prank had gone well, but added, “I’m just amazed that the American people never figured out we were kidding.”

“I mean, I kept saying ‘9-9-9’ every four seconds, which was total and utter bullshit,” he said. “And everything out of Michele’s mouth made her sound like a mental patient.”

“True that,” Rep. Bachmann agreed.

Texas Governor Rick Perry said he worried that “every time I screwed up at a debate people would figure out I was pulling their legs,” but added, “The American people seemed to accept the idea that a Governor of Texas could be a blithering idiot.”

When one reporter mentioned that Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) was not at the press conference, a sudden silence fell over the gathering.

“Did anyone ever tell Ron this was supposed to be a prank?” Mr. Romney asked. “Holy cow, maybe he’s really serious.”

(Got this from a union rep.  I think she got it from union's website Q&A section.)

Section 1113 of the Bankruptcy Code establishes the method by which a debtor (here: AMR) can reject a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). In considering a debtor’s Section 1113 motion, the bankruptcy court will review certain actions the debtor has taken since the filing of its bankruptcy petition. Before authorizing rejection of a CBA, the debtor must demonstrate to the court that it has satisfied each of the
following requirements:

1. The debtor must make a proposal to the union to modify the CBA. American has indicated that it intends to make such a proposal. In his letter to APFA, American’s Senior Vice President Jeff Brundage stated:
“American must now prepare to seek further changes to its APFA Agreement pursuant to Section1113 of the
Bankruptcy Code. We will notify you promptly when we are prepared to present new proposals which reflect
our changed circumstances.”

2. American’s proposal must be based on the most complete and reliable information available at the time of the proposal.

3. The proposed modifications must be necessary to permit American’s reorganization.

4. The proposed modifications must assure that all creditors, the debtor and all of the affected parties are treated fairly and equitably.

5. American must provide APFA such relevant information as is necessary to evaluate the proposal.

6. Between the time American makes its proposal and the time the hearing on American’s request to reject the existing CBA, it must meet at reasonable times with APFA.

7. At these negotiation sessions the debtor must confer in good faith in attempting to reach mutually satisfactory modifications of the collective bargaining agreement.

8. If an agreement is not reached, APFA must have refused to accept American’s proposal without good cause.

9. The balance of the equities must clearly favor rejection of the collective bargaining agreement.

10. From the day the Section 1113 court hearing begins, the bankruptcy court judge has thirty days to render a decision. If the court grants American the right to reject the CBA, it can at that time implement its proposal. Under Section 1113 (e) of the Bankruptcy Code, emergency short-term relief may be granted on an expedited basis without a full negotiating process if the court finds that the relief is “essential” to the continuation of business or to avoid “irreparable harm” to the bankruptcy estate.
(Bolding and italics are mine.  I believe the phrase goes "we are screwed.")

Certain company cheerleaders are claiming that only pilots and management will be hurt by dumping the pension plans on the PBGC.  That "you will receive every dime that you would have gotten anyway".

Well, not according to the Pension Calculator that the company has provided on Jetnet--the employee website portal.  If I were to retire on 12/31/12 and start my pension on 1/1/2013 AND the company still has the pension plan, I would receive approximately $495/mo.  If I have the same last day worked (actual) and pension start date, but the PBGC has the pension, I will received only $420/mo--a reduction of over 16% in the monthly benefit--because the last day worked will be 11/29/11 regardless of when I actually stop working.

However, I am only a short-timer.  I just got my 10 years in January.  (And, yes I realize that I was vested at 5 years, but I would not have been eligible for any other benefit--like retiree travel--until last month.)

It would be interesting to see what effect dumping the pensions on the PBGC would have on long-term AA employees.  Anyone else willing to go to Jetnet and run the numbers?  Do a regular pension estimate using some dates in the future--for instance, last day worked--12/31/12, pension start date--1/1/2013.  Then do a PBGC estimate using the same dates--just check the PBGC box.
(Remember that a PBGC estimate will force 11/29/2011 into the last day worked field.  You will still need to provide a pension start date.)

It would be particularly interesting to see the effect upon those of you who have the years but are not old enough yet to retire; so, use a pension start date for the month after you turn 60.

You don't need to post the actual numbers--a rounding error or two will not be significant.    Just give us approximate numbers, but to keep one of the cheerleaders from calling you a liar, make sure your numbers are honest, if not exact.

Even if you don't want to post the numbers here, you need to do this for your own protection and retirement planning.  Your monthly benefit is going to be less if the PBGC takes over.

P.S.  The thread title was supposed to be Pension Calculation on Jetnet.  Sorry about the typo.

I am a little surprised that there has been no discussion on here at all (except tangential to other topics) about the term sheet the company has presented to the APFA. We (the flight attendants) need to discuss every item on that term sheet to make sure how we feel about each item, how we intend to vote once we understand the terms and the final TA is presented, what we will each do given the situation that the company gets most/all the items on the term sheet==either through negotiation or the court.

Click here to view term sheet

Please, please, please, if you are not an American flight attendant, butt out. I don't care about your opinion of flight attendants or the bad service you got on your last flight. Also, what happened to you in your bankrupcty has little bearing on today's situation--particularly, if you are a US Airways mechanic. Not only is every bk different, but the laws have changed a good bit since the other airline bankruptcies; so, what happened to you, may or may not happen to us.

I just want to know how other AA flight attendants feel about the items on the term sheet.

Let's start with duration. The company wants 6 years from date of signing. I think that is 2 years too long, but would be willing to live with it if the union has the fortitude to insist on a "reverse me too" clause with management--i.e., no management raises or bonusses other than raises offered to the flight attendants or bonusses based solely upon company profits, during the duration of the CBA. And, that includes the period at the end of the 6 years where the company will be dragging its feet (and we all know it will) to prevent another TA from reaching completion.