Misc - HL 168 (8)

Concerning the Delta Stock buyback plan:

From: jadikb

Date: 5/8/2013 11:41:00 AM

To: mark@pilotcommunication.net

Subject: Buy back

 

Mark,

 I have been retired since 2005. In addition to the lump sum I received at that time, I currently get about $900 a month from the PBGC. As I understand things, Delta currently pays the full retirement to retired Northwest pilots that never even wore a Delta uniform. The disparity is obvious and in light of the recently announced $1 billion buyback feels like a slap in the face. Is any action being contemplated?

Thanks,  Dick Baldwin

Editor: Dick, yes there is efforts underway.  Come on and join on in.  The DP3 needs  your support and attempting to see a recalculation of our qualified benefits now paid by the PBGC.  Rob Moser is leading an effort to directly appeal to the company to remedy the disproportionate level of concessions that we took with the loss of our non-qualified benefits.  So the answer is yes.  Please, stay tuned and engaged.

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From: Ned Jones

Date: 5/8/2013 11:41:02 AM

To: mark@pilotcommunication.net

Subject: Delta's Announcement

 Mark,

My feeling is that this announcement, as much as we'd like to believe otherwise, will realistically only add even more frustration to our extremely difficult situation. The retired Delta pilot group, when active, was probably the largest employee holder of Delta stock, other than executives. When  bankruptcy occurred any stock owned was worthless. Obviously, a meager settlement payout of stock was made, thanks to DP3, following unqualified pension cancellation. Some sold quickly out of necessity others held on in hopes the value would appreciate. That was not the case and most had to sell at a ridiculously low price so that they could live. The retired pilots probably took the biggest stock loss of any previous employee. Now that the stock has appreciated and dividends planned, my guess is that very few have any shares left. Although most of us are still somewhat pleased our former company has survived and done well, the previously highly dedicated retired pilots and prior loyal shareholders are only given added anguish to their plight.

Thanks again for all you do,

Ned Jones

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From: Skydad

Date: 5/8/2013 5:19:28 PM

To: mark@pilotcommunication.net

Subject: FW: Delta Article.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Hey Mark,

     I wrote the gal that did the article on Delta and she replied and I wrote her back.  Read from the very bottom up.  I hope others will write her and she may just do an article on us.  I kind of feel like she was kind of defending Delta and what they did. 

Dick Warner

 

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From: Skydad [mailto:skydad@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2013 4:01 PM
To: 'MARY JANE CREDEUR'
Subject: RE: Delta Article.

 

I was based in MSY.  I retired in 1985 with 30 years service at age 50.  I was flying the Boeing 727 which was the only equipment we had in MSY at that time.  I retired before we had the lump sum option.   I was lucky, I only lost 37.5% of my retirement.   They were a little tricky too, as they moved a little of the variable trust part into the non-trust part which they then, a month or so later, discontinued paying, which left less to be paid in the trust portion.  Then they quit paying for our health insurance and to top it off, we have to pay $50 a year so we can fly “free” with our annual passes.  No thanks.  This Delta is not the Delta I flew for for 30 years.  Only the name is the same.  Our last GOOD CEO in my opinion,  was Dave Garrett and though he was retired, he tried to get the company not to do what they did.  When the “banking type boys” took over, the company went downhill.  I could not believe that the company I loved working for would do to us what they did.  No thanks, Delta, I’ll keep my $50 and ride a good airline…..Southwest.    

 

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From: MARY JANE CREDEUR (BLOOMBERG/ NEWSROOM:) [mailto:mcredeur@bloomberg.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2013 2:34 PM
To: skydad@bellsouth.net
Subject: Re:Delta Article.

 

Dear "Skydad,"

 

Thanks very much for taking the time to write and share your thoughts.

Today's story was about the fresh news of the share buyback and dividend, and not a comprehensive look at Delta's cash deployment and financial management over the years, so we didn't get into all the previous actions such as what occurred during bankruptcy.

As you know, because of Delta's bankruptcy and the PBGC's takeover of the pension plan, plus that pension legislation that applied to Delta and spread the payments out over a longer period, the plans legally and contractually had to be frozen. The company can't supplement them or change them in any way, or the government would come after them for it. And of course Northwest was a different legal entity, so their situation and what legally applied to them wasn't the same as with Delta.

Personal question -- do you mind if I ask what your situation was, and how much you lost? I remember how crushing of a blow that was (and still is) to all pilots, especially those who were near retirement and/or didn't think it would actually happen.

What year did you retire? Where were you domiciled and what equipment were you on?

Thanks again for writing and sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate hearing from you.

Best,
Mary Jane

----- Original Message -----
From: skydad@bellsouth.net
To: MARY JANE CREDEUR (BLOOMBERG/ NEWSROOM:)
At: May 8 2013 10:50:51

Too bad Delta won’t use some of that cash to pay the retired pilots their lost pensions even though they are paying the retired Northwest pilots their’s.  The retired Delta pilots were royally screwed by Delta during the bankruptcy.

 

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May 01, 2013

Dear Mark,

The very troops who defend our religious freedom are at risk of having their own taken away.

Last week, anti-Christian and left-wing activists met at the Pentagon with military officials to discuss pressing issues in the military. What issues would be of such importance to gain such a high-level hearing?

According to these far-left consultants, religion is one of the chief problems plaguing our troops. As the Washington Post reported, some are saying that "religious proselytizing" is at the top of the list of problems in the armed forces -- even on par with sexual assault.

As a result of such complaints from the left, the Air Force has -- according to the Post --published, but not yet distributed a new document with the directive that leaders of all levels (including chaplains) may not "promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion." The penalty these secularists are seeking for those who don't comply with their view of religious speech is court-martial.

If this policy goes forward, Christians within the military who speak of their faith could now be prosecuted as enemies of the state. This has the potential to destroy military recruiting across the services as Americans realize that their faith will be suppressed by joining the military.

Our brave troops deserve better. If chaplains and other personnel are censored from offering the full solace of the Gospel, there is no religious freedom in the military.

Please join me in signing the petition to Secretary Hagel urging him to protect the religious freedom of our troops - and not to proceed with the purge of religion within the ranks called for by anti-Christian activists.

Sign the petition to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to urge the Pentagon to protect religious freedom for our troops -- not attack it.

Sincerely,

Tony Perkins
President

P.S. Please forward

 

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From: Steve Rodmon

Date: 5/1/2013 6:54:19 AM

To: Mark Sztanyo

Subject: Richard Anderson

 

hearty congratulations goes out to Richard Anderson, CEO Delta Airlines for what amounts to a 42% pay raise paid for with the pilot's retirement money !!!

 Steve Rodnon

ATL MD11 Capt (retired)

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From: Charles Graham

Date: 4/29/2013 6:34:47 PM

To: Bcc: mark@pilotcommunication.net

Subject: Capt. XXXX

 Your criticism of the use of proper english on the PNC blog does not set well.

If this is your way of presenting yourself and treating others, I am damm glad I never had the misfortune to fly with you and put up with your bullshit.
Capt. Bud Graham. Ret—

Edtor: Bud, thanks for the defense, but the truth is that I is turrible at speling and writin n such.  All kidding aside, I make a lot of mistakes, but this blog is not an official document and I do not have an editorial staff.  So, all will see errors from those who post and from the editor as well.  It is a place where we connect and speak our mind with all the imperfections of our normal speech.

.

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