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Healthcare coverage at CO

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J

jersey guy

Member
Joined
May 13, 2005
Posts
22
Has anyone gone to CO and not their utilized COBRA benefits and instead opted for less expensive healthcare options? I'm covered through December and have a wife and two kids to cover though June. I know some guys went over and found health coverage for A LOT less than $800+/month...HELP!!!

Company names and websites would be a BIG help.
 
jersey guy,

There are a lot of options out there: Assurant (Continental's "plan"), BlueCross, Kaiser. What you'll find is that you will be able to purchase some form of high deductable plan. Basically, you will be covered for emergency services and prescriptions after a deductable of anywhere between $500 to $2,500 per family member. These policies are really just a stopgap to keep you from having to face a moster hospital bill should something serious happen. Your present insurance will end on December 31 (I assume you are XJet) and your CAL coverage will begin June 1, so you are looking at a 5 month gap.

I recommend that if you opt not to go the Cobra route and instead buy a high decuctible program that you stock up on any prescriptions that you or your family may need in the interim. ie - If anyone has seasonal allergies, get your refills now.

Bottom line, it sucks. The only possitive about CAL's insurance is that they have some really good, reasonably priced plans once you get to your sixth month.

-minrest
 
Since the thread question was answered...

What is up with the 6 month wait? I'm suprised cause CAL is one of the better employee freindly airlines? No?

I mean no health insurance is like a human rights issue in our country...
 
I used assurant for my wife and I much cheaper that cobra. The only thing is it does not cover pregrancy for your wife. You must pay for doctors up front and once you reach your deductible pays out 100% or 80% whatever you get. Was pretty good rates 110 I think for my wife and I a month. As far as my kids go in Michigan they have a law that no child will be left without medical insurance. So I had them under the MIchild (blue cross blue sheild) 5 dollars a month for both kids and 100% coverage no copays or anything. This includes dental as well. I had heard about this from another pilot friend of mine apllied and was accepted. Had to send in new hire letter and write a letter explaning our pay. It is good for one year, but I cancelled as soon as I got coverage at CO.
 
I also before my regular insurance ran out went to the doctors got check whole family and all perscriptions filled.
 
If you have two kids you will qualify for Medicaid in any state in the U.S. You will also qualify for WIC support which will give you food for your kids since the government says you don't make enough money to feed two kids unless you make at least $3084 per month. You actually qualify if you only have one kid as that income level is $2560. If you show them your min guarantee that will qualify you, and you will have FREE healthcare for the entire year for your kids and you will get about $150-$200 per month in food vouchers. The medicaid is nationwide and the WIC levels depend on your state. Kind of pathetic that a legacy airline doesn't provide health insurance from day 1.
 
Truckdriver said:
Kind of pathetic that a legacy airline doesn't provide health insurance from day 1.
Click to expand...

They also don't provide the following in their job description:

• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable Crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft



Sincerely,

B. Franklin
 
"What is up with the 6 month wait? I'm suprised cause CAL is one of the better employee freindly airlines? No?..."

RezOLushon – I believe that if all CO pilots started wearing their hats, the company would immediately show them more respect and reward them with an improved and cheaper health insurance. ;)
I mean didn’t you say FedEx pilots got a great contract mainly because their MEC asked their pilots to wear their hats?


"...If wearing the hat is good enough for a SWA commercial to sell tickets and the FedEx pilots to get THE BEST CONTRACT, then it is good enough for me..."

Sorry for hi-jacking the thread guys.
 
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If the health care issue is such a hardship on you and your family, by all means, do not apply at CAL. Consider it a deal breaker and move on.

You know about it from the get go. Its like first year pay. Don't biatch about it on this board, bring it up at your interview. Begin the interview by making a statement: "IF I don't get health benefits and a living wage, then I'm going to take my talent over to XXX airlines". Set the pace.

This ain't rocket science folks. If you can't give six months health care for a career, then perhaps a life style change may do you some good. Is your health bad enough that you must see a physician every half year?
 
erj-145mech said:
If the health care issue is such a hardship on you and your family, by all means, do not apply at CAL. Consider it a deal breaker and move on.

You know about it from the get go. Its like first year pay. Don't biatch about it on this board, bring it up at your interview. Begin the interview by making a statement: "IF I don't get health benefits and a living wage, then I'm going to take my talent over to XXX airlines". Set the pace.

This ain't rocket science folks. If you can't give six months health care for a career, then perhaps a life style change may do you some good. Is your health bad enough that you must see a physician every half year?
Click to expand...


Well Mr. erj-145mech,

It is not a hardship for me or my family. I just wanted to know what most of the guys who went to CO did for benefits. If you read my original post, you will see I am doing some general research, nowhere am I complaining about the deal.


Thanks to everyone else who had useful information.
 
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erj-145mech said:
If the health care issue is such a hardship on you and your family, by all means, do not apply at CAL. Consider it a deal breaker and move on.

You know about it from the get go. Its like first year pay. Don't biatch about it on this board, bring it up at your interview. Begin the interview by making a statement: "IF I don't get health benefits and a living wage, then I'm going to take my talent over to XXX airlines". Set the pace.

This ain't rocket science folks. If you can't give six months health care for a career, then perhaps a life style change may do you some good. Is your health bad enough that you must see a physician every half year?
Click to expand...

You owe jersey guy an apology. He didn't say he didn't like it. Re-read his first post and then get your foot out of your mouth.
 
Ben Franklin said:
They also don't provide the following in their job description:

• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable Crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft



Sincerely,

B. Franklin
Click to expand...

Gee, another JB slam, what a surprise.
 
Ben Franklin said:
They also don't provide the following in their job description:

• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable Crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft



Sincerely,

B. Franklin
Click to expand...


Now that was funny.
IAHERJ
 
Truckdriver said:
You actually qualify if you only have one kid as that income level is $2560. If you show them your min guarantee that will qualify you, and you will have FREE healthcare for the entire year for your kids and you will get about $150-$200 per month in food vouchers. The medicaid is nationwide and the WIC levels depend on your state. Kind of pathetic that a legacy airline doesn't provide health insurance from day 1.
Click to expand...

Am I reading this right? Two parents, one kid, and income of $2560/mo or less qualifies you for Medicaid?

Why would anyone COBRA or buy catastrophic? Is Medicaid that bad?
 
GogglesPisano said:
Am I reading this right? Two parents, one kid, and income of $2560/mo or less qualifies you for Medicaid?

Why would anyone COBRA or buy catastrophic? Is Medicaid that bad?
Click to expand...

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/secure-pol/2005_pdf_files/CS_12-0.pdf

Here is the link to the Texas WIC site. It has the income requirements for all you IAH based guys. I'm sure it is similar in other states. And for Ben, this is not by any means a slam at CAL, just passing on info to save a few of you guys some cash if you so choose to go the government provided route.
 
Jonny Sacko said:
I'm not going to say anything else, except; after 6 months.
Click to expand...

OK. Lets say you are on the 73 for the first two years then go to the 75/76 for the next three years. At JB lets say you are on the 320 for two years then upgrade on the 190 for the next three years. I'm not going to figure in upgrade at CAL on the 73 or upgrade at JB on the 320. Both are looking likely during the first 5 years but we won't look at that now. If we did, 5 year 73 CA rates are 135/hr and JB 320 rates are 120/hr up to 70 and then 180/hr above 70. JB guys would make more flying a 90 hour line than a CAL guy but we won't look at that for this calculation. If JB guys get a 3% rasie next month on the 320 and a 5% raise on the 190, over the course of the first five years flying a 90 hour month you would make a total of 358560 at CAL and 460800 at JB. That is 102000 more at JB. CAL would put about 12% (not sure about when you get to 12% but I'll figure it in from day one which I don't think it is) in your DC plan for a total of about 43K. JBLU would put about $15K into your 401K under the current plan and the upcomong bump in 401K match would put that at about 23K. The way I figure it with retierment and pay I'll make about 80K more at JBLU.

That's the quick math. So you actually should say, "I'm not going to say anything else except after 5 years."
 
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Truckdriver...why the rip on CAL?

I don't care where you work if you enjoy the job. Obviously, there is plenty of ammo to fire from both sides - at JetBlue and CAL both. We have plenty of room to work and I think a Union does help with that cause - IF the right people man the positions.

Hopefully, JetBlue will raise the payscale of their mainline aircraft and things will continue to improve for the entire industry. CAL has lots of work to do on many fronts concerning the pilot contract. I think we'll get there. This CBA is leaving a lasting impression around here.

Best of luck and thanks for your service to Continental while you were at Continental Express.
 
Palomino said:
Truckdriver...why the rip on CAL?

I don't care where you work if you enjoy the job. Obviously, there is plenty of ammo to fire from both sides - at JetBlue and CAL both. We have plenty of room to work and I think a Union does help with that cause - IF the right people man the positions.

Hopefully, JetBlue will raise the payscale of their mainline aircraft and things will continue to improve for the entire industry. CAL has lots of work to do on many fronts concerning the pilot contract. I think we'll get there. This CBA is leaving a lasting impression around here.

Best of luck and thanks for your service to Continental while you were at Continental Express.
Click to expand...


Palomino,

First, stating that it is pathetic that a company such as CAL does not provide health insurance from day one is not a rip on CAL. I think 100% of the newhires would state the same.

Second, I was attempting to show some of the guys going to CAL that they can get FREE insurance. Not ripping CAL just throwing out an option for them to explore to help them out.

Third, I wasn't the one who brought JetBlue into this thread. When others start ripping on my employer without me bringing it up, I'll defend.

Finally, I did enjoy working at XJT and it was a great company. I have lots of good friends that are working at CAL and I wish no will ill on any airline or any fellow pilot. Sorry if I came across that way, but when the JetBlue bashers come out swinging, I come out swinging harder.
 
Truckdriver said:
Sorry if I came across that way, but when the JetBlue bashers come out swinging, I come out swinging harder.
Click to expand...

Seems like you came out "swinging" first by telling us all to be in disbelief (kind of pathetic...) that a legacy carrier doesn't offer health ins. for 6 months. You took one portion of a 25-35 year career at CAL out of context and tried to make it the biggest issue since the holocaust.

btw, the requirement for you to clean airplanes while non-revving/working the flight came from your own website. :rolleyes:

Sincerely,

B. Franklin
 
Last edited:
Truckdriver said:
OK. Lets say you are on the 73 for the first two years then go to the 75/76 for the next three years. At JB lets say you are on the 320 for two years then upgrade on the 190 for the next three years. I'm not going to figure in upgrade at CAL on the 73 or upgrade at JB on the 320. Both are looking likely during the first 5 years but we won't look at that now. If we did, 5 year 73 CA rates are 135/hr and JB 320 rates are 120/hr up to 70 and then 180/hr above 70. JB guys would make more flying a 90 hour line than a CAL guy but we won't look at that for this calculation. If JB guys get a 3% rasie next month on the 320 and a 5% raise on the 190, over the course of the first five years flying a 90 hour month you would make a total of 358560 at CAL and 460800 at JB. That is 102000 more at JB. CAL would put about 12% (not sure about when you get to 12% but I'll figure it in from day one which I don't think it is) in your DC plan for a total of about 43K. JBLU would put about $15K into your 401K under the current plan and the upcomong bump in 401K match would put that at about 23K. The way I figure it with retierment and pay I'll make about 80K more at JBLU.

That's the quick math. So you actually should say, "I'm not going to say anything else except after 5 years."
Click to expand...

Just curious, are you using the blended rates in your figures are just small narrowbody rates. I've seen a lot of people say "737" and just use the small rates when half or more of your flying is in the 800/900 not to mention those of us who only spend 6 months on the 737 and now fly the 757/767 and are at an even higher rate for year 2. For example, my December line is now worth 110 hours of pay for flying 85 hours. This is by choice as I picked up a 5 day HNL for some WB pay as well as an AMS trip was picked up and 2 LGW's were dropped. If I flew a schedule like this for 12 months I'd make over 83K for my 2nd year. I can assure you that I won't fly this much because I don't need to but a father supporting a family could easily do it with 12 days off. We have no limit on hours anymore so we too can whore ourselves out and fly to the max for money should we decide to.
Good luck over there. I've got a few good friends hoping the Blue brings them much prosperity in the future. I hope it does as well for them.

IAHERJ
 
6 month wait for insurance does suck. is that such a deterrent that i would turn down the job? absolutely not. i'm happy where i am and hopeful for the future.

everyone has a choice to make. i chose to seek a career path that should meet my needs as i age. hopefully it pans out.
 

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