Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
US Airways retired Captain Tom G. Davis has provided us with an update on the actions of the Retiree Committee that was appointed to negotiate our medical and dental benefits. It is a 37-page document so I am unable to post it here. The lawyers representing the Retiree Committee filed their objections this week. The filing essentially says that the Company can not, should not, and will not (if our committee and lawyers have anything to say about it!) terminate the retirees' medical and dental insurance benefits! The 37-page brief detailed all of the reasons why the Company should continue our medical benefits.

The document is detailed, it is long and it is a lot of legalese that only lawyers and judges (and Captain Davis) fully understands. The Committee and their law firm has represented us well in this matter and we all owe the Committee our heartfelt thanks. They are representing us, the retirees, far beyond anyone could possibly expect. The PI/US retirees are in very good hands.

Please understand that the "Retiree Committee" is ONLY - by court order - dealing with the medical and dental benefits termination. There is another group (as yet un-named!) that is working to protect our pension plans.
Joe Wilson, Dennis O'Madigan and Don Shanks are coordinating this effort with our good friends at US Airways who are spearheading this effort on our behalf and they, too, are doing a super job. This effort is especially of primary concern to management/supervisory retirees and their higher pensions with the potential of being reduced.

We've had a couple of questions about who is representing the "agents" and their pensions since our effort seems more directed at "management" (I hate that word - but for the time being I'll use it!). The agents, I think, felt they were being left out in the cold. THAT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE! It may have appeared that way - but certainly not true.

Here's why: It is generally believed that those pensions under $25,000 a year will be okay if, and when, the Company is successful in convincing the judge that they can no longer fund our pension and it goes to the PBGC for handling. If it turns out that those receiving under $25,0000 annual pensions are harmed we can include them in this effort later. We did NOT feel we could ask the agent-group for support (meaning money!) when the we think, at this time, that they will continue to receive the about the same amount from PBGC that they are receiving today. Certainly, as we proceed down the road, if we see any risk in any group's pensions being reduced, we will MAKE SURE the agents and related groups get representation.

While we have many miles to travel together before we can claim success in our fight to retain our health benefits and pensions, we can truly be thankful on this wonderful day of Thanksgiving. My special thanks go out to US Airways Captain Davis and the Retiree Committee and to the former USAir execs, Fred Kocher and Larry Stentzel, that are working so feverishly to protect all of our pension benefits.

Finally, station managers, customer service managers, supervisors, department directors/managers, maintenance managers, reservations managers and supervisors, all manager/supervisory-type people, if you have not pledged your support, please do so by emailing me at donshanks@triad.rr.com and expressing your support. I have heard from about 50 of you and I need to hear from more of you. Don't worry about any commitment on the money at this time - we just want to know you are out there and supporting our effort. We expect our lawyers to start working on protecting our pension plan on Monday. Please pledge your support today! Email me at donshanks@triad.rr.com
Don Shanks
donshanks@triad.rr.com

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Please continue to read the emails below:
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Here is a copy of an email that Tom Davis sent the retired pilots:

Dear Soaring Eagles (US Airways Retired Pilots) Members:

Attached is some reading that should warm your hearth this Thanksgiving season. It is a trying time for us all and my hope is that this brief that we have filed with the court will demonstrate that we are not willing victims in this ongoing tragedy — that we are not going to go quietly.

In the spirit of this Thanksgiving season, I want you to know that I am personally overwhelmed by the unconditional support you have given to us, without which none of our successes to date and none of our successes to come could have been, or would be, possible.

This has truly been a reaffirming experience for me that demonstrates over and over again the abiding character of those who go down to the sea in ships—of those who, like Icarus and Daedalus, challenge the laws of gravity and accept into their care the human treasure of fathers, mothers, sons and daughters for their eternal safekeeping--and who are willing to place their own mortality in that same vessel.

Have a safe Thanksgiving and do not lose faith. We will not let you down.

Tom Davis (US Airways Retired Captain)

© Soaring Eagles 2004

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Winslow [mailto:bwinslow@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 11:36 PM
To: donshanks@triad.rr.com
Cc: Tom Hammett
Subject: Retirement USAirways

Don,

We, the retired CSMs, have a website. I have placed some limited information on a special page for the rest of us to see. I have received several calls from fellow CSMs asking if I understood what is going on and how will it effect our lives. (I don’t.)

I retired in 1990. I was the last CSM in FAT (Fresno)

I will publish anything you wish on the special page in order to better inform everyone. As a matter of fact, I wish you could give us some guidance and educate the retired CSMs. A lot of people would be happy to know that someone who understands the proceedings will keep us advised.

Here is the CSM web site:
[usairwayscsms.com]
(Customer Service Manager Website)

From here you can click on the link posted to the new page.

[usairwayscsms.com] (A new page we just added)

Thanks for your help,
Bill Winslow
WebMaster for the CSMs

I hope the information that I posted here is helpful. The point is that our objections to the Company's recent actions against retirees are being challenged before Jodge Mitchell in the courts by very capable retirees representing you and serving on various committees. And, outstanding lawyers known to have special expertise in these areas have been hired and working for you and me. This is the case with the medical and dental benefits and the pension fund - both have outstanding lawyers representing us - the retirees. The US/PI retirees are in good hands. We have had telephone discussions this morning with our friends at US Airways who are working (just about 24 hours a day on this) and we are hoping to make some additional information available to you within the next 24 hours. We know the trauma, the anxiety and the stress this has caused you and we are working hard to keep you up to date hoping that being better informed will ease some of the stress. Keep your eyes on your email and this site (thanks, Barry Smith!) for more information as it becomes available.
Anyone wanting to be added to my email list. Email me at donshanks@jetpiedmont.com.
Don Shanks

Don,

Just a note to say how good it is to hear that someone still cares..I was a station manager with PI/US in AZO, OAJ and TRI..please count me in for whatever I may be able to do...extend my thanks to the others who are also helping at this time on need...

Thanks,

Dave

Don,
It's so good to hear that there is someone out there who cares and is trying to help. I think it makes us all feel that we' re not quite so alone in all this. I was an agent with PI in EWN, ISO/ USAIR ISO, ILM until retiring about 4 years ago. Anything that you and your team can do will really be greatly appreciated. Also, anything I can do to support your effort in our behalf, I will do. Thanks, Dick

Dave, Dick, everyone......email me a donshanks@jetpiedmont.com and give me yur email address and I will add you to my email mailing list which is about 600 strong. I have attempted through this site and the US Airways Customer Service Manager site and email to keep everyon advised. Send me your email and I'll add you to my list.
Don Shanks
donshanks@JetPiedmont.com

Dear Don,
Please add me to your e-mail list. Does anyone have any idea how much it will cost us to keep our drug insurance for the next year? Our medical insurance is surely going down the drain along with every think we worked so hard for!!!!

Best regards.

Riley S. Carpenter INTM Retiree 1990

Can you add me to your list as well!? Thanks!