CAL insurance problem

[Guitar Guy]

Why does CAL require new-hires to wait 6 months to get coverage? Is it some sort of cost-cutting effort by the company?

 

[CAL EWR B737]

On a side note.

To all of you that are new here at CAL. Don't forget your first year here when it comes time for the next contract. Don't vote for a contract that won't pay at least $50/hr with day one insurance for newhires. That will be the first place I will look. If those two are not met I will not vote yes. We have strenght in numbers. The senior guys don't care about our plite (sp.). Only we can influance the outcome. We payed our dues.

I want to echo pkober's comments. I will not vote yes on any TA that at least meets the minimum criteria above and hopefully it is more.

However I think a better tactic to some of more selfish individuals (and I think it's just some not all of our senior pilots who are selfish and only care about themselves) How about we the new hires (will make up almost 50% of the pilot group by the time this contract is negotiated) save and fix your retirement (instead of negotiating it away we can try to do that since a union supposed to represent the interests of the majority) and you the senior pilots help us fix pay for years 2 through 6 (FO) and 1rst year pay and insurance issues. I believe you can motivate most if you state it my way vs your way.

I am truly embarrassed of our POS contract and I apologize to every new hire I meet.

As a side note I hope to meet many of you new hires shortly in a class that I am designing and I will teach to all new hires who want to attend.

Our budget was just approved at last weeks CAL ALPA MEC meeting.

My class will be available to all new hires in EWR (eventually all bases new hires are assigned) after you complete IOE. The class will be six to eight hours and will cover:

CAL History
CAL UNION History
ALPA 101 - Structure of CAL ALPA and National - Railway Labor Act -
Contract Negotiations/SPSC
CCS (Continentals Crew Computer system that most new hires get no instruction from the company on)
Etc...

Fraternally,

Jayson Baron
EWR B756 CA
CAL ALPA Strike Preparedness Committee Chairman
CAL ALPA Membership Committee member


PS lets fix per diem I kid you not I just converted $10 dollars to British pounds for pocket change and the bank lady was going to give me 2.43 pounds. After I protested (she must felt sorry for me) she eliminated the bank charges and gave me 4.35 pounds. That is exactly what I got for my $10 pocket change.

 

[padusmaximus]

I appreciate the responses and even the harassment folks. It is helpful to me and will be helpful for the next newhire that's in my shoes. I'll look into all of the suggestions that people presented.
For those out there that think i'm crazy for taking the job, I don't blame you, but I don't agree. One year is a short amount of time. The pay at other majors, with the exception of a few, is just as crappy as CAL. So really the only issue is insurance. I wish they offered it, but they don't, so i'll buy it. I'm not putting the fam at risk because I will get insurance one way or the other. It is an expense that I wish I didn't have to inccur, but as I said before its short term. When I was choosing an airline to go to I wasn't just looking at the first year pay. I was looking at where I might be in 10, 15, 20 years. I believe CAL is the most stable legacy carrier out there right now, of course that can change but I have to take that risk. Staying at my regional airline surely is not the answer, nor is going to a major that gives you insurance right away but has a 12 year upgrade. Bottom line I think CAL, despite the first year, is still the best place to go for me. I'm 32, this year will suck, but I hopefully will be at CAL for a long time and i'm confident that it will pay off. My wife agrees.
I apologize that this post has turned into a CAL bashing session. That was not my intention. I'm not looking for sympathy either. I'm excited about the job and appreciate the opportunity to work there. I was simply looking for some insight on some insurance options from people who have been in my shoes.
Thanks for the ideas and for the discussion.

 

[Allen1]

I think, for 6 months you can live off credit cards if you need. It's the big picture. Do you want to work for the majors as they are today, or hold out till things improve, or forget it all together? It's all up to you.

Worst advice I ever heard. 6 months living off of credit cards and then spending the next 20 years of your life paying them off. Real good advice.

 

[whatitdoing?]

It's better than taking money out of your 401K.

 

[Jonny Sacko]

Worst advice I ever heard. 6 months living off of credit cards and then spending the next 20 years of your life paying them off. Real good advice.

Oh ya, your right. I forgot.

TO ALL CONTINENTAL NEW HIRES!!

YOU WILL NOT BE PAID FOR 5 YEARS, FROM NEW HIRE DATE. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE A MANSION ON THE JERSEY SHORE WITHIN 3 DAYS OF CLASS START! YOU ALSO MUST, YES THAT'S MUST, LIVE LIKE MILLIONAIRES IE... NO DINING AT YOUR HOUSE. ALWAYS EAT OUT, AND SAVE RECEIPTS FOR NO REASON AT ALL. MAKE SURE YOU DRIVE LIKE YOU JUST PURCHASED YOUR FIRST SPORTS CAR ALWAYS!! ANOTHER REQUIREMENT; THE BUTLER! HE MUST TAYLOR YOUR SUITS BEFORE EACH LEG OF THE FLIGHT, NOT THE TRIP, YOU CHEAP BASTARDS, EACH LEG. IF THERE IS A BLEMISH, GET IT FIXED.

THAT WILL BE ALL.

6 months without insurance WILL BE FIXED, what will your excuse be then?? I love my RJ.

 

[pkober]

Padus,

Welcome aboard. You've got a good attitude. Remember your first year because you will be able to influence the next contract.

Good luck.

 

[FlyByNight1]

first let me say congrats on the baby!! Then let me say ooooouuuuccccchhhhhh!!!! Thats a tough spot to be in. I think that most states cover the monthly visits for pregnancies - or it could be on the federal level, I cant remember. However, you might be in better shape than you think. If your wife doesnt work, then you can claim CAL first year pay as your household income and probably get the best healthcare available. The previous post were right on though, I'll bet its a lot of red tape. Thats just one more kick in the pants before you reach your career finish line. Good luck my friend, we're pullin for ya!

 

[Bigoober]

Wow, what a bunch of hypocrisy. Might as well tell him "Shame on you for becoming a pilot!" Everything has risk in life. We just accept a little more in this profession.

As shown above, there are things that you can do to bridge this gap. I will be facing the same thing soon enough with a 4 month old trying to gap about two months of insurance. Fortunately, I have been planning on the pay tranistion for years now and have a nice sum of money saved up (yep, that old fashioned way of doing things is still alive in some of us).

pkover, I'm with you. Don't see a yes vote out of me unless those two requirements are in there at least. Loud and clear.

 

[tindriver72]

Padus, I Agree with pkober. You've got a great attitude and welcome aboard!! It's no secret that there are things that need to be fixed in the contract over here. That first year is tight, to say the least, (mines up in 2 weeks!!). That first year aside, you'll love it here!!

Congrats on the baby!

 

[av8tor4239]

I am sorry that you are CHOOSING to go through what you are about to have to go through, but I only have one thing to say....

GOVERNMENT CHEESE IS FREAKING GOOD

 

[BOHICAgain]

Where is Pokono??

 

[Guam360]

Any pix of Alice?:laugh:

Alice????

How about the Brasilian nanny???!!!!

 

[lostplnetairman]

I start class in a couple of weeks and I've hit a brick wall trying to get health insurance for the fam. My wife is pregnant so no one will give us insurance except COBRA of course which is 800$ monthly. Any suggestions from you new hires? Please refrain from the obvious choices which include, "grab your ankles" or "go to Fedex".

Thanks for the help.

Everyone has independent COBRA election rights. Just have your wife elect COBRA as a single person. Then the rest of you can get coverage elsewhere.

HRDiva

 

[737 Pylt]

Worst advice I ever heard. 6 months living off of credit cards and then spending the next 20 years of your life paying them off. Real good advice.

Why don't you stick to things you're good at, like servicing lavs, and carrying bags....Dumbass!:laugh:

737