Retirement

[kicked2curb]

In the fall of 1968, I decided to trade my college education for an airline career at the ripe, old age of 19. I was promised a decent pension, paid health insurance after retirement and travel benefits. I gave US 33 years of hard-earned service.............US gave me several pay cuts, unemployment after 9/11 with 3 days notice, a frozen pension, unpaid health insurance and travel benefits. Employees shouldn't have to worry about their golden years, they shouldn't have to worry about CEO's who have no moral principles or scruples, CEO's who promse the world, drop the ball, and then flee with millions of dollars. Yes, people should plan for a rainy day, and it is pouring buckets right now, but there's two sides to every raindrop.

The moral of the story: Don't give up your college degree for an airline career and watch out for CEO's who wear red suspenders.

Your circumstance is so common, the economy was in better shape, and at that time airline customer service reps were making mor than teachers or nurses. Had the customer service group been represented earlier, perhaps the crisis situations would have been handled better. Unfortunately most reps were more concerned with swapping and VTO. Most of the reps were married and their wages weren't the primary source of income, so retirment and wage concerns weren't a priority

The ailine industry was considered a quasi government operation or public utility, so regulation provided the stability thus stable wages, benefits etc. Once the stability was gone all bets were off.

I could be mistaken but I believe only the customer service group has the social security offset provision.

 

[Seatacus]

I could be mistaken but I believe only the customer service group has the social security offset provision.

Those with pensions from the PBGC should not be affected by SS income. Am I wrong??

 

[4merresrat]

. . . and at that time airline customer service reps were making mor than teachers or nurses. Had the customer service group been represented earlier, perhaps the crisis situations would have been handled better. Unfortunately most reps were more concerned with swapping and VTO.

Most of the reps were married and their wages weren't the primary source of income, so retirment
and wage concerns weren't a priority. . .

Are you saying it was women's work?

 

[john john]

Are you saying it was women's work?

What exactly is woman’s work?

 

[4merresrat]

What exactly is woman’s work?

Lighten up, john john but since you asked. . . the poster stated; "Unfortunately most reps were more concerned with swapping and VTO. Most of the reps were married and their wages weren't the primary source of income, so retirment and wage concerns weren't a priority"

So "women's work" is a job mostly fielded by the fairer sex who were more concerned with swapping and VTO; who weren't the primary income source. You know, they were working for the flight bennies, so they could hop a plane to NYC with their girlfriends for a quick shopping trip. They certainly weren't relying on the income for their retirement. A lot of employees in reservation offices in the 80s and 90's fit this description. Many were part time.
I was just going by what the earlier poster said in regards to what was the priority and how it not reflects now on what is going on.

 

[john john]

Lighten up, john john but since you asked. . . the poster stated; "Unfortunately most reps were more concerned with swapping and VTO. Most of the reps were married and their wages weren't the primary source of income, so retirment and wage concerns weren't a priority"

So "women's work" is a job mostly fielded by the fairer sex who were more concerned with swapping and VTO; who weren't the primary income source. You know, they were working for the flight bennies, so they could hop a plane to NYC with their girlfriends for a quick shopping trip. They certainly weren't relying on the income for their retirement. A lot of employees in reservation offices in the 80s and 90's fit this description. Many were part time.
I was just going by what the earlier poster said in regards to what was the priority and how it not reflects now on what is going on.

Management went after this segment of population just to exploit them

 

[4merresrat]

Management went after this segment of population just to exploit them

How so? Please explain. . . you really believe that managment "went after" a specific group to exploit them? For what purpose? I really think management has more important things to accomplish then exploting middle-aged housewives!

 

[john john]

How so? Please explain. . .

You already did very well

 

[drifterreno]

Sorry I've been so deliquent in getting back to you but just don't come on the site very often due to going blind. John John, I think you know who I am and we worked together in my state. When the merge with PI and US happened I had no retirement yet in PI. With the demise of "retirement" at usair we were told that we were now fully vested in US retirement and would get our full retirement in the future. We were told if we retired early it would be a portion of our retirement and then when we reached 62 we would get the whole amount/month.
I'm sure all of you did not keep your 401k account when you retired--alas I didn't--due to the terrible state the market was in after 9/11 and now too. Soooo lost about 1/2 of 401k and got out. I worked at US from 1985 to 2001. Some thanks--those of you sticking around till you're 62--forget it!!! At least my retirement paid my car insurance for 7 years.
John John--pm me and I'll ask you more questions about PI and US stuff.

 

[US1YFARE]

What exactly is woman’s work?

cooking, cleaning, taking the kids to school and soccer, sewing, laundry, buying their husband's secretary a gift, making the beds, grocery shopping, keeping the house tidy, christmas shopping, watching the kids while her husband plays golf, making sure the vodca is on ice when her husband comes home, ironing, and weeding flower beds.

 

[4merresrat]

cooking, cleaning, taking the kids to school and soccer, sewing, laundry, buying their husband's secretary a gift, making the beds, grocery shopping, keeping the house tidy, christmas shopping, watching the kids while her husband plays golf, making sure the vodca is on ice when her husband comes home, ironing, and weeding flower beds.

Secretarial work, decorating, retail clothing sales, and reservation sales agent!

 

[drifterreno]

This a call shortchanging the funds set aside for the employees. The percentage amount of offset is very high on the old Piedmont plan. You do not see upper management have this BS OFF SET

I was on the PI plan and only got $141.72 a month till this month when I turn 62. Alas, now getting $44.11 a month and that will be paid in 1 lump sum. Don't think that's much of an off set.

 

[drifterreno]

The original poster was lamenting the fact that USair did not offer them the "golden retirement" that evidentally they assumed was their due. People can no longer expect the gov't to take care of them once they hit 65, and for the most part can't expect a company to take care of them in their golden years. They must take care of themselves and plan and save for that rainy day. Guess what? It's raining.

I didn't ask for a "golden retirement" and always expected to work--alas my last job was outsoursed to Costa Rica and the unemployment rate in Reno is outragious. I don't have to get my ss until I'm 66 but must take it now AND find a job. That aside, I also worked for HP and my retirement check was discontinued with the merge for about a year and that is money I will never see. That's the main reason I did not go back to HP/US when it was offered to me. I was making more than I was at HP/US AND I would get my retirement check back. Doug had told me they couldn't take my retirement check AND not give me back my seniority and pay scale---but guess what---he lied!!!

 

[drifterreno]

Those with pensions from the PBGC should not be affected by SS income. Am I wrong??

Yes, you're wrong my pension was from the PBGC. Sorry to tell you this.

 

[N924PS]

cooking, cleaning, taking the kids to school and soccer, sewing, laundry, buying their husband's secretary a gift, making the beds, grocery shopping, keeping the house tidy, christmas shopping, watching the kids while her husband plays golf, making sure the vodca is on ice when her husband comes home, ironing, and weeding flower beds.

Oh, and don't forget Airline Pilot, Fighter Pilot, Physician, Accountant, Secretary of State, and Governor of Alaska.....