HEY! Got my W-2 form today.

[FLYUSAIRWAYS]

Today was a very exciting day. I received my long awaited W-2 form today, stapled to my paycheck. I opened it, and to no surprise, noticed that I only earned $25,000 for the year 2005, and this of course was before taxes. I guess I could understand it better if I was a new hire, but having 29 years with Usairways, it sort of hurts. Then to make matters worse, the local 5PM newscast started, with the lead story that the local school Superintendant, is unhappy with her annual salary of $190,000 and would like a raise. I checked my salary records when I returned home from work, and learned that my 2005 pay was the same pay that I earned in 1982. Now that my salary at Usairways has dipped to 1982 levels, and it takes 2 weeks pay to just pay the property taxes, I guess it has come to the point to start looking for other employment outside the airline field. Between NY state taxes, and $2.50 a gallon for gas, there is no hope on the horizon. My best friend who works for NW, just called, and informed me that NorthWest is going to outsource 75% of all the flight attendant positions, if the judge allows it. I guess we are not alone. I'm not here to complain, simply trying to tell another story within the many horror stories since 9-11.

 

[pitguy]

I can not understand why so many people stay.

 

[smorzando]

I can not understand why so many people stay.

There is comfort in the “knownâ€￾ while fear of the “unknownâ€￾ over rides rationality.

Look at some of these posts with people saying that if they only maintain a good attitude everything in their airline world will be ok, sort of like tapping your heels together with your eyes closed.

Then you have the mentally challenged with the airline industry pushing them over the line.

We can also look at this very post and ask why are you even looking back, why do you care if people stay, how does that matter in your world, why bother reading constant never ending stories of sorrow which is all the airline industry offers one these days, what does that do for you, and why?

 

[pitguy]

LOL...You are right. I guess the scars never heal. I do find myself checking this site less than I used to, but I still work in aviation and I check several carriers on here. What a mess.

 

[Smartest Loser]

I agree...The whole industry is in the tank. Wages will take another 10-15 years to get back to early 2000's.
I can't wait for that to happend, gonna make a move.

One thing for sure, airline CEO's and VP's W-2's look better than ours.

SL

 

[PBI2FLL]

$25,000?? What department do you work in? If you are an east CSA, I'm assuming you are part time? Most of us who have 21 or more years with the company, are making less than we did in 1989....

On another note, if any of you noticed in box 14 (other) on your W-2, it indicates 125 and some odd amount. :huh: Can someone explain to me what that means?

 

[smorzando]

LOL...You are right. I guess the scars never heal. I do find myself checking this site less than I used to, but I still work in aviation and I check several carriers on here. What a mess.

Sure I’m right, we know each other. I have been on here for years. That post was pointed directly at myself as well. My handle is apt, look it up.

 

[drifterreno]

And what will happen to us if another attack occurs? Wondering if anyone noticed a drop in calls after yesterday's announcement.

 

[FWAAA]

On another note, if any of you noticed in box 14 (other) on your W-2, it indicates 125 and some odd amount. :huh: Can someone explain to me what that means?

Section 125 amounts refer to payroll deductions for health insurance premiums or flexible spending account contributions, which are excluded from federal taxable income. Depending on your state, however, you may need to add them back in computing state taxable income. New York is one such state that subjects certain of the 125 deductions to state and city taxes, even though they are exluded from federal taxable income.

 

[28yrsnojob]

this is what you voted for. LIVE WITH IT

 

[young_gun_flyer]

this is what you voted for. LIVE WITH IT

They had no choice but to vote on it. They had to pick their poison.....no airline, no job or little pay, have a job. Could you imagine what our unemployment rate be if half of the legacy carriers were no longer b/c employees wouldn't take the cut????

 

[PITbull]

I agree...The whole industry is in the tank. Wages will take another 10-15 years to get back to early 2000's.
I can't wait for that to happend, gonna make a move.

One thing for sure, airline CEO's and VP's W-2's look better than ours.

SL

I do know that LUV and CO try to keep the balance in their operation and value their employees. All the legacy carriers pay their employees more than U.

 

[Doc]

$25,000?? What department do you work in? If you are an east CSA, I'm assuming you are part time? Most of us who have 21 or more years with the company, are making less than we did in 1989....

On another note, if any of you noticed in box 14 (other) on your W-2, it indicates 125 and some odd amount. :huh: Can someone explain to me what that means?

Its the medical payments you make. It's not income so I'm not sure why it's there probably a company scam. Turbo tax nor any other tax program know's either.

 

[PHL]

It pains me to read your post, it really does. nobody with 29 years in the same company, or even with industry experience that long, should be earning just $25000/year.

If US and the other airlines had a hard time finding F/A's, then the pay would be higher. If all the F/A's that were fed up with the pay/working conditions and decided to leave, then there would be a higher demand and the pay would have to go up. I remember I worked for a fast food company once at a minimum wage of $3.35/hour. I heard that in MA, the same chain was paying employees $7/hour because they couldn't find anyone.

The F/A position is not a "skilled" labor job and therefore, anyone can apply and, with good training, work the job. That's not the same as a Superintendant, pilot, lawyer, software engineer, etc. These jobs all require a level of skill that attracts better wages because fewer people have it.

So with that, you are in charge of your destiny. It's never too late to pick up a new skill or go find another niche that will provide better long term income opportunities.

 

[UPNAWAY]

All the legacy carriers pay their employees more than U.
[/quote]

U was the first out of BK the others are just starting also U was in the worse shape so it seems logical that U employees would take the hardest hit. In 3-4 years when all is said and done you'll probably see wage parity in the industry again.