FDXLAG

You know, I think I have coverage. But I could not tell you if it with the company, alpa, or the FPA. Maybe all three. I know I tried to increase my ALPA coverage recently but they could not understand why I could not find the doctor who diagnosed my 10% VA disability. Hoops galore, I ended up saying F it.

MEMFO4Ever

I used the LTD plan more than 5 years ago, but I think it is generally the same now. After your RSA and DSA are exhausted (and VAC too) 60% of your average earnings (of the past 3 years) for the first 24 months, then 50% until you turn 60 (65 now??). Union optional supplement is 15% (I think) but there is a one or two year "elimination period" before those bennies kick in. So assuming you chose the shorter elimination period year one should be 60%, year two should be 75%, and year three, four, five, etc. should be 65%. I wasn't on it for very long (less than a year) before I got my medical back.

The benefits covered "occupational disability" which is caused by your inability to hold an FAA medical certificate even if you are able to perform some other kind of job.

JJ may be able to give us the nuts and bolts info.

Dakota

So what kind of cancer qualifies for PDO bump? That would've been a nice option.

Adlerdriver

The written word has it's limits, so maybe I'm not understanding your post. However, I'm fuzzy here - Sounds like you're a cancer survivor? And you have a problem with another cancer victim's buddies letting his network know he needs help?

Dakota

Yeah, I'm working on surviving cancer. I just didn't know being PDO bumped was an option. I certainly hope that there are guys that can help SW out. The way it was explained to me was that you immediately begin drawing out of your RSA, then your DSA, then the 60% LTD; there was no mention of being PDO bumped.

By the way, if you're not sure if you have the MEC supplemental Long Term Disability Insurance Plan, find out. If you don't -- GET IT NOW! Somehow I missed that during new hire indoc. I know.... sucks to be me.

Jetjok

Here's my take: MEMFO4Ever is exactly correct in how he explains the LTD plan. They do a 36 month look-back to determine your highest consecutive 12 months, then they pay you 60% of that average amount, for the next 24 months. Then, if your disability goes on past the 24 month point, the company pays you 50% of that pre-established average until you return to work, or until you're 65 years old. Throughout this time, you continue to accrue seniority and longevity, but not vacation time (except for the hours you've already accrued for next year.)

As well, depending on the company's expectations for how long they think you will be out, they might (will) ask you to file for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). If that is approved by the Social Security Administration (in my case, that approval came after only 3 months), the company will reduce the amount they are paying you by 70% of the amount that you are receiving from your SSDI. So as an example, let's say your company LTD monthly pay check is $8K, and that they have asked you to apply for SSDI, which (in this case) is approved, with an associated payment of (let's say) $1700 a month. To compute your monthly income you take 30% of 1700, which is $510, and add that to your $8,000/a month, giving you a monthly income of $8,510, which is made up of two checks: the first being the FedEx check (paid at the end of the month, in its entirety) in the amount of $6810, and a check from the Social Security Administration in the amount of $1700, with the two checks totaling $8510.

As an extra benefit, if you're unfortunate enough to remain on SSDI for 2 years, you then are eligible for Medicare, and you will be placed on it automatically by the SSA at the 2 year point.

Now as for PDO bumping someone, it all depends on if they have actually gone out on LTD (I believe), because once they have, I don't think you can PDO bump them. If they are just out on "sick", then you can still do a PDO bump.

As a very interesting side issue, although I went out on LTD while still a S/O, the company did the 36 month look-back and calculated my LTD pay base on my being an ANC based MD-11 Captain. They asked me to apply for SSDI, which was approved, and so I am not only getting 60% of a very nice monthly pay rate (for another few months anyway), but also getting 30% of the amount that Social Security is paying me. I sheepishly suspect that my monthly checks are at least equal to what our widebody Captains are currently making, due to 4A2B.

Hope the above helps.

JJ

FXDX

Is the LTD company paid and are we automatically covered?

MD11Fr8Dog

https://pilot.fedex.com/contract/cba/sec27/sec27j.shtml

4. The Company shall pay the full cost of such coverage.


I'll never get that minute and 30 secs of my life back!

captexpress

Albie, I recall many years ago the company accepting a vacation day contribution for a pilot in similar need. Apparently this was administratively easier to do, with instant results. One phone call to the Chief Pilots Office and the V day(s) were deducted and transferred as needed to the sick bank for the pilot in question.

It was a long time ago.......pre-contract, but might be worth investigating.

Old rule of the Corps "never leave anyone behind". Count me in.

TheBaron

I'm in a similar (only different) situation. I had to call in sick for a long trip in July and didn't have the sick bank to cover it entirely. They approved use of my DSA so I didn't lose any pay. I was immediately place in NOQ status for lack of medical qualification. Now I bid pay only, and have been milking my DSA and vacation banks to get me to the end of the year. As long as you maintain 36 hours a month by drawing from a bank (sick/DSA/vacation), you are considered active. This gets me to the end of the year and then I will have vacation hours to get me through Jan/Feb/Mar. I would actually make quite a bit more going on disability, but it is my understanding your family loses their medical coverage after 90 days with COBRA available to it for mucho dinero. Anyone else deal with this and crunch numbers? I may actually make enough more on LTD to cover the Cobra payments but I don't have any firm numbers.
If SW is down for medical, why isn't he in NOQ status? I wasn't offered the option and don't know if it is even available. Any ideas?