Fdx Loa
07-13-2007, 10:03 PM
#61
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,068
We as a group (pilots) have made more bad decisions over time because of what you are asking for above. Mgt. and our MEC want this deal to pass. What exactly do you think they are going to paint option B as-a bed of roses? They will always present the alternative as something grim or ill advised. The truth is usually something completely different and then we all get together and complain about how we blew it and how we'll get 'em next time. Casting things in an 'A or B' light plays to our natural risk averse tendencies and is one factor in how management tends to chip away at CBA's one step at a time. What's good for us in the cockpit is often bad for us outside of it..................
07-14-2007, 04:04 AM
#62
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: unskilled laborer
Posts: 353
In response to a letter to the union I sent regarding tuition assistance an MEC member wrote back that he recieved no help for the $30000 it costs him to send his kids to school. I returned his letter saying that in California he has a choice of what school to send his kids to in a foreign domicile we will not have a choice. Also that FedEx already pays the tuition for the school of its overseas employees. A couple letters later it turns out both his kids are in college. Can the MEC be so far out of touch with the hardships and costs associated with living overseas?????
07-14-2007, 04:07 AM
#63
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: unskilled laborer
Posts: 353
I wrote to the MEC about this schooling issue ... received a less than satisfactory response. Essentially:
1. If you already pay for private school (I don't), then it wouldn't cost much more than that?
2. You could home school and avoid the whole language/cost issue?
and ...
3. If I have small kids (K-2), they seem to learn foreign languages quickly and that could benefit them later in life.
So ... they've let us down not addressing this issue. According to the IHT, we might not even be able to pay for American School.
This is sounding more and more like, "This doesn't effect the MEC (especially the NC Chairman) so we're not going to address this issue." GIVE ME A BREAK!
Mark
1. If you already pay for private school (I don't), then it wouldn't cost much more than that?
2. You could home school and avoid the whole language/cost issue?
and ...
3. If I have small kids (K-2), they seem to learn foreign languages quickly and that could benefit them later in life.
So ... they've let us down not addressing this issue. According to the IHT, we might not even be able to pay for American School.
This is sounding more and more like, "This doesn't effect the MEC (especially the NC Chairman) so we're not going to address this issue." GIVE ME A BREAK!
Mark
07-14-2007, 07:28 AM
#64
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: 767 FO
Posts: 8,047
1 and 3. There will be volunteers, LOA or not. Without the LOA, no tax equalization.
My fingers need exercise. And since you seem to have such a hard-on over tax equalization, and I have worked at a company that did this for their european-based pilots, and it was a great benny, your posts make good fodder for my replies.
As for No. 2, who knows. The company wouldn't need to pay GT from HGK, housing allowance (as based on the post about Mesa and what little I found on the web, housing in china proper is cheap.) They still only cover difference in total tax bill and US tax bill (which would be on 32.4K less with no housing allowance,) so you guess is as good as mine.
And last, but not least, there is enough in this LOA that is bad, without trashing an actual benefit. Because of all the other things, I'm voting no, even though, short of being STVed, it won't affect me.
My fingers need exercise. And since you seem to have such a hard-on over tax equalization, and I have worked at a company that did this for their european-based pilots, and it was a great benny, your posts make good fodder for my replies.
As for No. 2, who knows. The company wouldn't need to pay GT from HGK, housing allowance (as based on the post about Mesa and what little I found on the web, housing in china proper is cheap.) They still only cover difference in total tax bill and US tax bill (which would be on 32.4K less with no housing allowance,) so you guess is as good as mine.
And last, but not least, there is enough in this LOA that is bad, without trashing an actual benefit. Because of all the other things, I'm voting no, even though, short of being STVed, it won't affect me.
We must disagree, HK 16% rate CAN 50% rate. The tax equalization bill could be 100K cheaper in HK vice CAN.
07-14-2007, 08:48 AM
#65
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: Bench Warmer
Posts: 241
It is more than one. BC said this very statement to management in negotiations, while visiting CAN. "The pilots bidding a FDA DO NOT NEED tuition help for their kids...because that is about what I pay for my kids back home!"
07-14-2007, 06:58 PM
#66
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: 767 Cap
Posts: 1,306
Not sure what the point is, though, as it was our union who requested the domicile in HKG. Seems like a good call to me. Never been to CAN myself, but based on some websurfing, it looks to be a typical third-world sh$$hole, trying to climb into the 20th century, while we have moved on to the 21st.
Last edited by fdx727pilot; 07-14-2007 at 07:03 PM.
07-14-2007, 08:17 PM
#67
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: 767 FO
Posts: 8,047
Agree it is a good call to get HK but if you had followed the thread you would know I never said HK was bad just why the company agreed so readily.
Take your WB capt (220K) add International override (9K), housing allowance (34K), and tax equalization (in hypothetical china, 100K -150K, pick a number) and tell me how far off that 345 we are. Tax wise HK is more then a couple of bowls of rice cheaper.
And I don't have a hard on for tax equalization. Just in some situations (junior guys) Mesa method is better. Tax equalization is good but it is much better the more senior you are. In some cases (new hire) it could be worthless. I let you tell me what it is worth to a WB Capt.
Cheers
Take your WB capt (220K) add International override (9K), housing allowance (34K), and tax equalization (in hypothetical china, 100K -150K, pick a number) and tell me how far off that 345 we are. Tax wise HK is more then a couple of bowls of rice cheaper.
And I don't have a hard on for tax equalization. Just in some situations (junior guys) Mesa method is better. Tax equalization is good but it is much better the more senior you are. In some cases (new hire) it could be worthless. I let you tell me what it is worth to a WB Capt.
Cheers
Last edited by FDXLAG; 07-14-2007 at 08:57 PM.
07-14-2007, 08:26 PM
#68
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 331
What is the benefit to us of the RLA....past experience leads me to believe that the RLA has always benefitted the company? I know that French labor law is more "Labor" friendly and that chinese labor law, if it exists, probably isn't that good. I ask because I have been told that some on the MEC are extolling the virtues of RLA global recognition.
07-14-2007, 08:29 PM
#69
...Whatever It Is!
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,680
What is the benefit to us of the RLA....past experience leads me to believe that the RLA has always benefitted the company? I know that French labor law is more "Labor" friendly and that chinese labor law, if it exists, probably isn't that good. I ask because I have been told that some on the MEC are extolling the virtues of RLA global recognition.
07-14-2007, 09:28 PM
#70
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: Left to right
Posts: 119
I can't understand how this LOA would pass.
The crew members who want to bid an FDA are getting an inadequate housing and school allowance and no COLA.
The crew members who don't want to bid an LOA are being exposed to the STV.
This is a win, win for the company.
The crew members who want to bid an FDA are getting an inadequate housing and school allowance and no COLA.
The crew members who don't want to bid an LOA are being exposed to the STV.
This is a win, win for the company.
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