Flying Benefits

[smallstFSA]

What does the company loose by offering flying benefits as a buyout option.

The number of agents, CWA and IAM seeking new employment hovers at around 50% at our station. We are very able employees that would like to have something to show for 20-30 years spent with U.

If not unlimited passes how about a "Silver Pass" with 4 a year for employees and elegible family members.

At the Express 12.65 rate there is plenty of alternatives out there, but it boils my blood to not have anything to show for the best years of my life.

 

[Light Years]

They think if they took them away you would actually PAY to fly that airline if you were going somewhere!

 

[Ramp Rogue]

I agree with you 100%. I have been asking the same question for years. The answer that I keep getting is that it would cost USAir too much. When I ask how does an empty seat cost too much, I get the I don't know look.Which is typical of management when you ask them an easy question.

 

[smallstFSA]

If you can find the same wage in the market place without a certain benefit you're better off staying with your present employer.

U proposes to start new customer services/ramp agents in the 7.00 plus range. Why not give away a perishable commodity in exchange for a $5-8 hourly wage savings?

 

[Kev3188]

NW has tried to offer an early out/separation with passes 2x since 9/11. I think the participation has been nominal at best, though there wasn't the spectre of wage cuts looming, either.

 

[MarkMyWords]

I think US offered the same type of Voluntary Seperation with some bizzare flying benefit option and few, if any, took the option.

 

[usacrew3]

I took it and get unlimited flying benefits that are taxed. I have yet to fly on any US Aiways flights this year. I buy tickets on Jetblue, great airline with clean planes and friendly attendants AND inflight entertainment. I also flew business class to Scotland on CO and the 76 was spacious, clean and again the service was fantastic. Going to Las Vegas later this month and flying AA.

 

[WestCoastGuy]

Personally, I would have no need or desire for flying benefits after I leave the company. US doesnt go anywhere I would want to travel anyway. Its better to just purchase a cheap ticket on someone and travel without worries about gettting bumped and know Ill arrive and depart at the times I want. US can keep the flying benefits and stick them where the sun dont shine... <_<

 

[BoeingBoy]

I took it and get unlimited flying benefits that are taxed.

[post="197779"][/post]​

And that is the problem with post-employment flying benefits, in a nutshell. They are taxed based on the cost of full walk-up fare, and guess who pays the taxes.

With today's fares, one can often get a paid ticket for less than the taxes on the "free" travel benefit - and get all the benefits that go with that paid ticket.

Jim

 

[smallstFSA]

And that is the problem with post-employment flying benefits, in a nutshell. They are taxed based on the cost of full walk-up fare, and guess who pays the taxes.

With today's fares, one can often get a paid ticket for less than the taxes on the "free" travel benefit - and get all the benefits that go with that paid ticket.

Jim

[post="197945"][/post]​

Jim:

Thank you for your informative response, I'll have to compare taxes on full fares vs excursion fares to desirable destinations.

One of the options I've been considering for a post U life is teaching and always thought that plenty of time off and flying benefits would go nicely together.

 

[BoeingBoy]

smallstFSA,

Please don't take my word for anything....

Check with your union or where-ever. My info comes from talking to furloughed pilots and may or may not be absolutely accurate.

Good luck whatever your future holds.

Jim