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___________________________For all Delta people who have truly touched the High Life!__________________________________
PCN Web Site____PCN FORUM___PCN Ads_____ About______ Calendar______ G-Group______ Links______ Sign Up______ FAQ______ Archives______ Contact ______________________High Life Theme Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ&ob=av2e

Latest High Life Issue

Latest HL 364 published Oct 21, 2024. Not all sections of Blog are on first page. Click OLDER POSTS to view additional newsletter sections. For PDF version and all archived list CLICK HERE. Look for next issue soon!

Airlines news

Monday, October 21, 2024

Mark's Remarks - HL 364 (3)

High Life 364  |   PCN Home  |  Post to PCN   | G-Group   |  Calendar   |  PCN Ads  |  Sign Up  |  FAQs

 

Back in the High Life Again -Theme Song:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ&ob=av2e

Lyrics:

Back in the High Life Again

Steve Winwood

It used to seem to me that my life ran off too fast
And I had to take it slowly
Just to make the good parts last
But when you're born to run, it's so hard to just slow down
So don't be surprised to see me
Back in the bright part of town

 

I'll be back in the high life again
All the doors I closed one time
Will open up again
I'll be back in the high life again
All thee eyes that watched me once
Will smile and take me in

 

And I'll drink and dance with one hand free
Let the world back into me
I know I'll be a sight to see
Back in the high life again

 

Girl, you used to be the best
To make life be life to me
And I hope that you're still out there
And you're like you used to be
We'll have ourselves a time
And we'll dance the mornin' sun
And we'll let the good times come in
And we won't stop 'til we're done

 

We'll be back in the high life again
All the doors I closed one time
Will open up again
We'll be back in the high life again
All thee eyes that watched us once
Will smile and take us in

 

And we'll drink and dance with one hand free
And have the world so easily
Though we'll be a sight to see
Back in the high life again

High life
High life
In the high life again

 

We'll be back in the high life again
All the doors I closed one time
Will open up again
We'll be back in the high life again
All thee eyes that watched us once
Will smile and take us in

 

And we'll drink and dance with one hand free
And have the world so easily
Though we'll be a sight to see
Back in the high life again

High life
(Back in the high life)

Oh, we'll be back...

 

Important: If viewing in Google Drive, PDF hyperlinks are hot after you highlight them. If you have trouble navigating to a hyperlink then visit the blog where all links are hot - http://pcnhighlife.blogspot.com/

 

Dear PCN (of over 2600 subscribers),

 


Charity Flight Group – Helene Disaster Relief

I volunteer with a Chapter of the Pilots For Christ here in Cinci.  Our normal gig is to provide free air transport to those in need for medical or mission appointments.  I am flying one of those types of mission flights next Thursday.  But after Helene hit NC & TN we were moved to ‘do something’ to help.  After we did some research and said, “here I am” the gates were open to make multiple flight operations to deliver requested urgently needed items.  We worked in concert with an ground operation that re-distributed our supplies by private helicopter and Guard Chinooks into zones that were inaccessible by vehicle.  We just completed our 15th flight operation and have been privileged to do so.  You can read and see more about our little effort to bring some degree of relief to the terrible situation that STILL exists in and around Asheville on our Facebook page.

 

Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562274331919

 


 

REPEAT NOTICE of Delta HR EMAIL:

Another way to Contact Delta HR – Please copy the included email for future use.

• New Email Contact for Delta’s Retirees - Delta’s Human Resources Department has established a new
email address for retirees needing to contact Delta Air Lines with various questions or comments. The new
email address is
alumniservices@delta.com. This is an alternative way to get your question directly into
the HR department if you have been unable to resolve your issue through the “Ask HR” feature on the Del-
ta Net for Alumni website or the 1-800-MYDELTA help line.

 

 

 

IMPORTANT SURVIVOR section repeated in INSURANCE section of High Life 340 and FINANCE section of 336.  NEW handy 2 page LINK LIST of important documents for the Survivor. 

 

 

New PCN subscriber Sign Up:

 

As you most of you know our PCN is a private subscribed to online community.  We maintain a list of that virtually eliminates spammers or other online undesirables from joining with a simple sign up procedure, so the applicant can be screened.  I am very happy with how this has worked as we can be assured that everyone on the 2670 member list is legit.

 

If you know of a pilot who wishes to join our community and receive our notices they can easily and painlessly become a subscriber for FREE by simply filling out the SIGN UP form.  If a current member vouches for a friend and simply sends in their former Delta position and email, I have always considered this an appropriate vetting and added them directly to the list.

 

Thanks for helping the PCN remain the largest retired Delta pilot online community and for helping keep our mailing list made up of all legit subscribers. 

 

+++++

 

PCN sends out the High Life in 2 ways via a Blog page and a PDF file.  But the PCN also has a website with helpful information archived.   Check out some of the elements of the PCN Website like:

 

Home page:  http://pcn.homestead.com/home01.html

 

About us:  http://pcn.homestead.com/About.html

 

Retiree benefit page: http://pcn.homestead.com/RetPilot.html

 

Survivor Info page: http://pcn.homestead.com/DLSurv.html

 

Links page: http://pcn.homestead.com/Links.html

 

Pilot Authors: http://pcn.homestead.com/Authors.html

 

Sign Up Form: http://pcn.homestead.com/SignUP.html

 

Report a Death Form: http://pcn.homestead.com/Death_Form.html

 

Archived docs: http://pcn.homestead.com/Archive.html 

 

Comprehensive Flown West List page: http://pcn.homestead.com/FlightWest.html

 

Seniority lists and Hotel page  (password protected): http://pcn.homestead.com/Seniority.html

 

Thanks for checking the PCN Web Site out and please report any page that needs an update!




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Finance - HL 364 (1)

Helpful miscellaneous articles regarding our retirement plan and planning.  Like you, I review my retirement nestegg and plan from time to time.  Recently, I went though some continued education for some credentials I maintain and it occurred to me that we all could use a review about these issues.  So with your help, we will share and post articles and info that may be helpful and of interest to many of you in this section.

 

Treacherous September is leaving traders everywhere on edge

 

(Bloomberg) — September has traditionally been a terrible month for traders and risks being even harder to navigate in 2024 given lingering questions about the Federal Reserve’s anticipated interest-rate cut.

Most Read from Bloomberg

·       A Guide to Urban Swimming in Europe, Beyond the Seine

·       Dense Cities With Low Emissions Suffer Most From Air Pollution, Study Finds

Bonds, stocks and gold have typically suffered losses in the month, as traders reassessed their portfolios after the summer break. The S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) have had their biggest percentage losses since 1950 in the month of September. Bonds have slid in eight of the last 10 Septembers, while bullion has dropped every time since 2017.



Investors may need to prepare for stormier weather this time, facing uncertainties including a crucial US jobs report seen key to the magnitude and frequency of the Fed’s future interest-rate cuts. Stocks trading near records and Treasuries enjoying their longest monthly winning streak in three years look vulnerable to data shocks or surprises from a tight US presidential race.

“Fall comes with falls — especially with markets pricing in so much for Fed cuts and people chasing the ‘Goldilocks’ scenario out there,” said Vishnu Varathan, head of economics and strategy at Mizuho Bank in Singapore. “Markets would be more edgy than normal.”



Fresh from a hectic August that featured a brief but brutal global stock rout, investors now look to Friday’s employment data that may shed light on the health of the world’s No. 1 economy and shape the trajectory of the Fed’s upcoming monetary easing campaign.

With a hefty four quarter-point rate cuts currently priced in by the end of this year, there’s heightened risk for wild market swings if the Fed sounds less dovish than expected at its meeting that concludes on Sept. 18.

“September seasonality has a checkered record, with risk-off not uncommon and in election years more dramatic,” Bob Savage, head of markets strategy and insights at BNY, wrote in a note. “There is a sense that the US jobs report ahead will determine the course for the rest of the year.”

The S&P 500 has fallen in each of the last four Septembers and this time the non-farm payrolls data may carry added weight for US stocks.

S&P 500 (^GSPC)

SNP - Free Realtime Quote (USD)

5,611.58

-36.82(-0.65%)

·       1D

·       5D

·       1M

·       6M

·       YTD

·       1Y

·       5Y

·       Max

 

“The market is currently driven by a few mega-cap tech stocks, making it vulnerable to significant drawdowns if these stocks falter,” said Manish Bhargava, chief executive officer at Straits Investment Management in Singapore. “Any surprise could lead to a rapid unwinding of leveraged positions.”

 

 

 (As with any of these informative articles, anyone who needs someone to talk to about

this very subject contact me and I can direct you to a knowledgeable advisor).



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Insurance - HL 364 (1)

IMPORTANT SURVIVOR information in many former HL issues but INSURANCE section of High Life 340 and FINANCE section of 336 a good resource to keep.

 

CORRECTION to language I used in HL 350 for the D & S Plan TRUST

 

All Archived High Lifes issues:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BzB_SBDmSd9AMzViODQ3MDQtODhjYy00YzkwLThiMzktM2FhMDEzMDZhYjA0?resourcekey=0-sovghKhA1zNRWP5SUxjUqA&usp=sharing

 

I previously used the word ‘unfunding’ or ‘defunding’  the Trust but I believe that is in error and can cause unnecessary misunderstanding.  The Company is not defunding the Trust but rather funding it ‘monthly’ as opposed to carrying a long term balance.  There IS a tax advantage for both Company and Beneficiary from the Section 501(c)(9) nature of the Trust so, one would expect to see the Company continue to keep the Trust even though the funding is not executed well in advance. 



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Events - HL 364 (2)

Please share some pics and a report of the 2 now complete OCT Events below:

CVG BASE REUNION-Oct 5th-Capt Bob Doyle

AND

Delta Golden Wings Reunion at Dayton, Ohio

October 7 - October 10, 2024



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Travel / Non Revving - HL 364 (1)

 Note:  About layover hotels (List Now Updated as of Nov 2021) Lists are no longer accessible on the DeltaNet.  The page is password protected for our PCN group ONLY.  Please use the password of pcnpilot

To access the 2021 listing of layover hotels click here:  http://pcn.homestead.com/Seniority.html

Delta Announces Pass Changes first their Statement followed by  expanded info:

 

Delta Retiree & Survivor Pass Travel Program in 2025

We're excited to introduce several pass travel changes coming in 2025, designed to offer greater flexibility and expanded options, with more opportunities for your family and friends to travel:

 

S3A flight days increase from six to eight in 2025. On your pass travel anniversary in 2025, you will receive the new allotment of eight S3As per eligible pass rider. In the interim, two S3As will also be added to your remaining 2024 balances by Feb. 2025.

One 'secondary' travel companion added by Feb. 2025 for unlimited and unaccompanied non-revenue standby travel at S3B priority, even if you have a spouse/domestic partner/primary travel companion.

Fly Confirmed For Less Discount Program open to primary travel companions in the second half of 2025, allowing them to fly unaccompanied and unlimited Fly Confirmed For Less (FCFL). FCFL is already available to parents, spouses, domestic partners and dependent children.

Fly Confirmed For Less Discount Program for 'buddies' with four 'slots' to issue either one-way or round-trip tickets for someone who is not in your PPR will also be available in the second half of 2025. The traveler must be accompanied in the same PNR by you or one of your eligible pass riders (e.g., you and a neighbor could fly together) and on paid FCFL tickets.

We will not issue buddy passes beyond 2025. We heard that many Delta people are looking for more valuable alternatives in lieu of buddy passes. The data shows that buddy passes are underutilized and considered low value, with buddy pass users issuing an average of three passes out of the eight allotted per year. You will be allotted four buddy passes in 2025 to ease the transition, and your current allotment of buddy passes for 2024 will remain in effect until your anniversary date in 2025.

Please refer to the detailed FAQs for more details. If you need additional help, please contact Ask HR via Alumni Deltanet. 

 

Thank you,

 Jennifer Shay

Director, Employee & Alumni Services

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Thanks to Carol Faulkner for sending in this expanded Q & A on the changes:

Retiree & Survivor Pass Travel Enhancements in 2025

Buddy Passes 

Why is Delta discontinuing buddy passes after 2025?  

We have data about low buddy pass utilization: 

·    Over the last two years, data shows that only 38% of active employees have issued at least one buddy pass  

·    1/3 of buddy pass users issue passes to the same person every time   

·    Buddy pass users issued on average three passes out of the eight allotted  

 
As a result, Delta is replacing the buddy pass program with other options that are more highly valued. Employees and retirees will have the option to add a Secondary Travel Companion who may travel unlimited and unaccompanied with S3B standby code. Retirees will enjoy an increase in their S3A annual allotment from six to eight. 

Why aren't we being provided with the option to keep buddy passes or elect something else?  

These changes are based on survey responses and in-person focus groups conducted over the last year, and supported by the low utilization of buddy passes across the operation. The combination of feedback and the technological changes required to manage multiple offerings guided decisions about the program.  

Who does this change impact? 

All primary pass riders who are eligible for buddy passes will have four buddy passes, effective with their next pass anniversary on or after Jan. 1, 2025. No buddy passes will be allotted after 2025. 

Will the four buddy passes for 2025 continue to be roundtrip? 

Yes, buddy passes will be valid for one-way or round-trip travel. There are no changes to the policy or usage parameters for buddy passes issued in 2025. The process to add, authorize and ticket buddy passes will not change. The only change is the number of buddy passes being allotted. 

Does this mean buddy passes will go away starting Jan. 1, 2026? Or throughout the year as the authorization expires?  

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, buddy passes will no longer be allocated. Buddy passes issued on your 2025 anniversary that have not yet expired may continue to be authorized and ticketed in 2026. Any unused buddy passes during your current pass anniversary year expire on your next pass anniversary date. 

What will happen if I've already authorized and ticketed eight buddy passes in my previous pass anniversary year that have travel planned during my current pass anniversary year in which the buddy pass allotment has changed? 

Buddy passes that have been authorized and ticketed, and have not expired, can continue to be used for travel. 

This change affects my ability to plan travel with family and friends that aren't eligible to be a part of my pass rider list. Will there be any changes to our pass travel policy to replace this change? 

Based on employee feedback and low utilization of buddy passes, Delta is replacing the buddy pass program with other options that are more highly valued. In 2025, employees and retirees will have the option to add a secondary travel companion who may travel unlimited and unaccompanied with S3B standby code. Later in 2025, employees and retirees will have the opportunity to extend their Fly Confirmed For Less discount to individuals who are not currently included in their eligible pass rider group, allowing employees to fly with family and friends. Both the employee and their companion must be flying on purchased Fly Confirmed For Less tickets.  

 

S2 Allotment Increase/S3B & S3A 

Will retirees now receive S2 passes? 

No. Retirees are eligible for S3A flight days that are comparable to active employee S2 flight days and offer a higher priority among other retirees or S3B pass riders.   Beginning in 2025, all pass riders eligible for S3A allotments will increase to eight S3As per year, renewed on the anniversary date. For example, if your anniversary date is on July 15, 2025, you will have four buddy passes to authorize and issue before your next anniversary date on July 15, 2026. The buddy passes ticketed in that period will follow the normal ticketing and issuance guidelines. You will not be given a new allotment of buddy passes after 2025.  

Is it going to be harder for me to get on a flight with the increase in S3B pass riders? 

Currently. 81% of retirees have higher seniority dates than 88% of active employees. This means that you will maintain priority over these new unaccompanied S3Bs. Additionally, only retirees and eligible riders will receive an increased allotment of S3As, keeping the retiree group competitive from that perspective as well. The new secondary companions will not be eligible for S3As. 

Can I exceed my S3A allotment?  

No, you cannot exceed your S3A allotment. If you or a pass rider exceeds their S3A for priority allotments in an unauthorized manner, the primary pass rider will be penalized $150 per day exceeded for domestic travel and $300 per day exceeded for transoceanic travel. This may also result in suspension of pass travel privileges and/or administrative action, up to and including termination of employment.

 

Secondary Travel Companion 

Who is eligible to have a secondary travel companion? 

Full- and part-time employees, Seasonal Agents, Res W@H, co-op students, interns, employees on disability, voluntary leave participants, furloughed employees, retirees and survivors. 

I already have a primary travel companion designated; can I add a secondary travel companion? 

Yes. You can add a secondary travel companion along with your spouse/domestic partner/primary travel companion.   

What pass priority will the secondary travel companion have? 

The secondary travel companion will fly at a standard boarding priority of S3B.   

Is the secondary travel companion eligible for the Fly Confirmed For Less program? 

No, secondary travel companions are not eligible for the Fly Confirmed For Less program. 

Is the secondary travel companion eligible for ZED (OAL) travel? 

No, secondary travel companions are not eligible for ZED (OAL) travel per our agreements with our partner carriers.  

Can I add or remove my secondary travel companion at any time? 

The addition/removal of a secondary travel companion will follow the same rules as your primary travel companion. You may add a secondary travel companion at any time if: 

·    You have never designated a secondary travel companion during your employment at Delta. 

·    You have not had a secondary travel companion since your last pass eligibility date, or in the event of death of your current secondary travel companion 

·    Your current secondary travel companion has not traveled since your pass anniversary date 

Once added, if your secondary travel companion travels, you may not add a new one until the anniversary date. You may remove them at any time, but you will not be able to replace them until your following anniversary date. 

Can I designate my secondary travel companion as a primary travel companion? 

Yes. You can designate your secondary travel companion as a primary travel companion if: 

·    You have never designated a primary travel companion during your employment at Delta 

·    You have not had a primary travel companion since your last pass anniversary date, or in the event of death of your current primary travel companion 

·    Your current primary travel companion has not traveled since your pass anniversary date 

 
Who can I designate as my new secondary travel companion?  

You can designate whomever you choose. Remember, your travel companion must be someone you know well. You are responsible for educating your pass riders about Delta's policies, procedures and behavior expectations when traveling as a Delta non-rev. Misconduct by you or your pass riders could result in suspension of your pass travel privileges and/or termination of employment. 

Will the secondary travel companion travel at imputed income or yield fare? 

The value of the flight segments flown by the secondary travel companion (based on the yield fare) will be reported as taxable income (imputed income) to the employee after travel is completed. Applicable international departure/arrival fees and taxes will be payroll deducted (or invoiced for retirees). This is the same process applied to travel by domestic partners and primary travel companions. 

Example: If the base out of pocket yield fare for travel on a particular route is $100, the $100 is taxable and subject to the employee's normal federal/state/local/FICA withholdings. For example, if your total tax rate adds up to 30%, then you will be responsible for $30.00 in taxes for that trip. 

Is my secondary travel companion eligible for emergency travel? 

Yes. In the event of a life-or-death emergency, S1A emergency pass travel can be used with your manager's approval. Inactive employees and retirees should contact the Travel Call Center (1-800-MY-DELTA). Additional information on Delta's Emergency Travel policy can be found here.  

 

Fly Confirmed Discount Program – Travel Companion Eligibility 

Once implemented in late 2025, will my primary and secondary travel companion be eligible for the Fly Confirmed Discount Program? 

In the second half of 2025, your primary travel companion will be eligible for the Fly Confirmed Discount Program and can travel unaccompanied. Your secondary travel companion will not be eligible for the Fly Confirmed Discount Program.  

How will the imputed income be calculated and reported? 

More information on this will be shared as the program launches in 2025. 

Why aren't non-dependent children eligible for the Fly Confirmed Discount Program? 

Offering the Fly Confirmed Discount Program to primary travel companions more closely aligns with privileges offered to spouses and domestic partners, for those retirees who are not married or in a domestic partnership. Because of the high number of non-dependents and the potential for revenue loss and additional cost to Delta for the FICA tax obligation for imputed income, we are not considering expanding FCFL eligibility to non-dependents. 

Is there a limit on how many times my primary travel companion can use the Fly Confirmed Discount Program? 

No. There is no limitation on how many times your primary travel companion can utilize the Fly Confirmed Discount Program. 

Are there any blackout dates or restrictions on when my travel companion can use the discounts? 

No, there are no blackout dates or restrictions. 

 

Fly Confirmed Discount Program – Non-Pass Rider Slots 

How do I add and ticket a non-pass rider to the Fly Confirmed Discount program? 

Information about the new process will be available closer to the launch date later in 2025. 

Do I have to accompany my non-pass riders when using Fly Confirmed For Less? 

While we believe this new offering will be highly valued by employees, even with the accompaniment requirement, this feature helps reduce opportunities for program misuse. The accompanying passenger can be anyone (except a secondary companion or nondependents) in the employee’s PPR pass rider list. It does not have to be the employee/retiree.   

Delta reduced our buddy pass allotment from eight to four, and there are only four tickets in which a non-pass rider can utilize the Fly Confirmed Discount program. Has Delta considered increasing it to more available slots? 

This is a new offering that was considered based on employee feedback. Because these are confirmed tickets, the potential for revenue dilution is greater than for buddy passes so the number of available slots is four. After the program is in place, it will be evaluated as part of ongoing reviews of Delta's pass travel offerings and employee feedback. 

How will the imputed income be calculated and reported? 

More information on this will be shared as the program launches in 2025.  

Non-dependent children are not eligible for the Fly Confirmed Discount Program. Is my non-dependent child eligible to travel in one of the slots even though they are considered a pass rider in my pass rider list? 

Yes, they may use any of the "slots" or tickets – as long as they are accompanied in the same PNR by one of the eligible PPR riders. 

Are there any blackout dates or restrictions on when non-pass riders can use the discounts? 

No, there are no blackout dates or restrictions. 

 

·    © 2024 Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Information Technology. All rights reserved.



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