Having the company match our 401K contribution at 50%, instead of the more common 15%, was a good way to increase (by thousands) the number of dollars paid. More of the signing bonus will be spent on paying for our son's next semester of college, thereby leaving more money in his college fund for the years ahead. The payraise will allow us to put more money aside in the college accounts of our other two kids. We've all seen how college tuition has skyrocketed, even at public universities. The remainder of the bonus (they get 2 yrs to pay it out) will be used for home improvements....or to replace my 1990 car. Many of the families were so far behind that the bonus didn't catch them up completely. It will take awhile, but the new wages should help to pull them up to the level that other professionals take for granted. Many NJ pilots and their families will now be able to move to safer/nicer neighborhoods, drive reliable/newer vehicles, and spend less time and money commuting for work.
I see the new contract as a "stepping stone". Not all of the NJ families are where they should be--yet--but under the leadership of SU, we are finally on our way! The position now has the potential to be a long-term career that can justify the sacrifices made by the pilots and their families.