Delta A/L Retirements

[bafanguy]

What's the scuttlebutt on the number of retirements/earlyouts in May or June ? I went with the bunch in Sept/03, almost 4 years early...and am glad to be out from what I hear and see from my limited vantage point. I miss the airplanes, but NOTHING else. At 56 years old, I didn't have time to recover from whatever bad "stuff" happened and feel better having my lump away from the company.

 

[NYRANGERS]

The prediction is over 200 in May, but I think Ken Bray said that only around 90 have their papers in. As we know those numbers change fast and usually end up quite a bit higher as the month comes to a close.

Enjoy retirement and best of luck

NYR
Delta furloughee Nov 2001.
Although we just hit the recall trigger.......interesting times ahead.

 

[RichardFitzwell]

NYR
Delta furloughee Nov 2001.
Although we just hit the recall trigger.......interesting times ahead.

Has Delta announced recalls?

 

[General Lee]

bafanguy,

First of all, NYR and I would like to THANK YOU for retiring early. We are happy that you had a career that was fun for the most part, and one that ended with a good lump sum retirement.

As far as future retirements, all I have heard at the lounge are rumors---even though they are from good sources. Delta was "preparing" for a large number in May---from 500 to 700---but right now there are only about 50 going--with 41 of them early. That is probably because the Gatt rate is lower in June than May--and the lower the Gatt rate the higher the lump sum. So, there are probably plenty of people "riding the Gatt rate wave." With the recent job numbers report out last week---the good news will probably translate into the Fed raising the interest rates this Summer a tad (in USAToday today also)--and that will raise the Gatt rate as well. As we get closer to major pay cuts or more rumors about possible Chap 11 filings---expect more also to bail. Apparently there are more than 500 that have more than 25 years with Delta (not Western guys---actual 25 years with Delta---which means full retirement qualified)---and after the age of 53--there really is no reason to stay because your benefits will be the same regardless. The only reason I can think of them staying is: 1. They love planes 2. They married a stew late in life and now have kids ready for college 3. They have had a few wives (probably stews) 4. One of their family members is sick and needs the insurance.


Good luck with your retirement---I hope you enjoy many warm days on the golf course.

Bye Bye--General Lee


PS. I believe we did hit the recall numbers for March (needed 4 months in a row of RPMs equal to pre-9-11, and our March numbers were huge). I don't think Delta has stated anything yet, and I don't think they want to bring anyone back--but they will have to due to the arbitrator's ruling. I think it will be a slow recall on purpose---but that is better than nothing. Maybe early retirements will help bring back people faster.....

 

[spanky2]

Delta RPM Watchers...man your calculators. The historic RPMS to match or exceed for Dec 2000 - Mar 2001 = 33979 Million. Delta (includes ASA and COMAIR) reported traffic for Mar 2004 at 9058 Million. Added to current, previous 3-month RPMs gives a total of 33858 Million .... 121 Million short...BUT wait, there is more. Still have to add in "other" RPMs from Skywest, ACA, Chitaugua, code share, mil charter. Last month, the "other" group added about 350 Million RPMs.

Looks like it is gonna hit the trigger...OK...now what? FM III declared due to FM I recall??? Don't laugh.

 

[bafanguy]

Gen. Lee,

As you know, retire early...pay for the health insurance yourself...that would've been $816/mo. for UHC ( and even more for DPMP )...prohibitive !! In an uncharacteristic display of wisdom, I married well 25+years ago. My DAL 35 year F/A wife now provides the health insurance. We all don't have 3 wives !!! But, I do enjoy the term "wife move-up"...has a funny ring to it.

I sure do miss the airplanes, though. Been looking for a flying job w/o success...nobody wants you when you're 57.

Stay in touch.

 

[General Lee]

Bafanguy,

I can understand that, and I too married well and am happy with her--even though she gets mad at me for being on the computer so much....

I was in favor of paying cobra for early retired pilots----in addition to the furloughs----if that would push more of them out. I would think a better QOL and better schedule woulds more than make up for paying extra for cobra---for you and furloughs combined! That probably would have made everyone happy.

I understand you want to fly again, and with your experience I wouldn't doubt that there should be somewhere you could get a job. Beside corporate work, you may want to try PARC Aviation or one of the other firms that can place you into a heavy aircraft for a 3-5 year contract. You may not want to travel too far---(especially with your nice wife)---but maybe EVA or Singapore could put you into the left seat of something big for 3 years....? I hope you do find something though, and atleast you have a lump sum in the bank---hopefully it will grow with the improving economy and stock market......Take care.

Bye Bye--General Lee