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1/17/2010
PCN Services – High Life Newsletter, News, Events, Deaths, Illness Notices and PCN Calendar
Large Web Community for World’s Largest Airline
A merger on Aug 1, 2009 of RSP and Delta Retired Pilots Communication Network
High Life
For all Delta people who have truly touched the High Life/
Dear PCN,
Group Section……
Mark’s Remarks:
Under the weather! Back next week!
Mark’s Tidbits:
News Section……
Delta News (Recent stories of interest): Yahoo, AJC
JAL, Delta reach basic deal over comprehensive tie-up
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Airlines and Delta Air Lines on Friday reached a basic agreement on a comprehensive tie-up that mainly
features code-sharing flight services, company sources said.
The ailing airline and the world's largest carrier are likely to officially sign the deal after it is finally endorsed by
new JAL top management that will be inaugurated after the JAL group applies for the application of the
Corporate Rehabilitation Law.
Kazuo Inamori, honorary chairman and founder of electronics firm Kyocera Corp., will lead JAL's new
management as chief executive officer.
The basic agreement was reached in working-level talks between JAL and Delta at the embattled airline's head
office in Tokyo.
The Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan--a state-backed corporate rehabilitation body that is
playing a key role in JAL's reconstruction--apparently believes that a tie-up with Delta will improve the
efficiency of JAL's services in international routes. The corporate turnaround body is convinced this will make
it possible for JAL to bring its struggling business back on track at an early date, according to the sources.
Delta holds a predominant market share in Pacific routes between Japan and the United States. JAL's
international operations have hampered its profitability over the years.
The tie-up means JAL will switch from the Oneworld airline alliance to the SkyTeam group, to which Delta
belongs.
JAL and Delta will ask the U.S. Transportation Department for antitrust immunity by mid-February. If the
application is accepted, the two airlines will be able to efficiently run flights over their Pacific routes in what
amounts to business integration.
Meanwhile, transport minister Seiji Maehara and Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama agreed Friday night that
legal procedures for JAL's bankruptcy protection would be initiated Tuesday. They made the decision during a
meeting at the Prime Minister's Office.
JAL and its two main subsidiaries, Japan Airlines International Co. and JAL Capital Co., will apply for the
application of the Corporate Rehabilitation Law. This will be followed by an official decision to be made by the
turnaround body to aid JAL's rehabilitation, thus officially placing the cash-strapped carrier under state control.
On Tuesday, the government will issue a statement pledging to take all possible steps to ensure JAL's flight
services are provided without a hitch. It will also provide nations that JAL flies to and from with explanations
about matters pertinent to JAL's rehabilitation, including the protection of their claims related to business
transactions with the ailing carrier.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------http://seekingalpha.com/article/182933-japan-airlines-joins-skyteam-a-big-win-for-shareholders?source=yahoo
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2cf2bc9a-02c4-11df-86b300144feabdc0.html?referrer_id=yahoofinance&ft_ref=yahoo1&segid=03058
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Delta buys 9 MD-90s from China Eastern
January 15, 2010
Delta is adding nine MD-90 aircraft purchased from China Eastern Airlines to its fleet, an acquisition that will
make Delta the world’s second-largest operator of the aircraft.
Delta will receive the aircraft between February and July. Two additional MD-90s will be delivered from
Boeing Capital, a division of the aircraft manufacturer, which will bring the total to 11 of the aircraft added to
the fleet this year.
“Those MD-90s are quite flexible because they fit in our network,” said Hank Halter, Delta’s chief financial
officer, at a recent event for Delta investors. “We’re not looking to grow capacity, but when there’s very
inexpensive opportunities for lift, such as the MD-90, we’ll certainly consider it.”
The airplanes are the most efficient narrow body aircraft in Delta’s fleet, Hank said, and provide a costeffective tool for managing Delta’s capacity. The purchase will not add to Delta’s capacity, but will
partially offset the reduction of DC-9s and regional jets in the fleet.
The current seating configuration for the aircraft is 150, with 12 in first class and 138 in coach. All of the jets
will be upgraded with brand-new interiors before entering service. Once the aircraft are received, Delta will
have 28 MD-90s, the second-largest fleet in the world after Saudi Arabian Airlines, which has 29.
Other Airline News (Recent stories of interest):
JAL to shrink by 30% / Will halve subsidiaries, retire all jumbo jets
under reconstruction plan
Yasuhiro Takizawa / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
Japan Airlines will be drastically restructured, with 15,700 jobs slashed within itself and its group firms, 27
branch offices abroad closed and its subsidiaries halved to 57, according to the framework plan drawn up under
the administration of a state-backed corporate turnaround body.
The ailing airline also plans to cut its sales for the 2012 business year by more than 30 percent from the figure
posted in the 2008 business year that ended in March 2009 and turn itself into a corporate group that will make
a steady profit.
Over the next three years, the airline will concentrate its corporate resources on businesses deemed essential for
keeping its aircraft flying.
Of its 110 subsidiaries, including those managing tourist agencies and hotels, JAL will sell off 24 while
liquidating 15 firms and cutting 14 others by integrating them into other entities.
The airline is poised to shift its emphasis to fuel-efficient small- and midsize aircraft, eliminating all its 37
jumbo jets by March 2015.
The reconstruction plan does not go so far as to spell out the exact number of service routes to be abolished. On
the other hand, it clearly states that the planned corporate pension benefit cut accepted recently by JAL's
employees and its retirees should be reflected in the reconstruction plan.
JAL has projected that it will post sales of 1.36 trillion yen for business year ending in March 2013, more than
30 percent less than the figure posted for the year ending in March 2009.
It projects that it will post an operating profit of 49.7 billion yen in the business year ending in March 2012, and
115.7 billion yen in the business year ending in March 2013.
After ironing out the details of the corporate reconstruction plan with the government and its creditor banks, the
airline will file for bankruptcy protection under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law on Tuesday.
On the same day, the Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan, a state-backed corporate bailout
body, is expected to announce its plan to assist the airline.
While implementing the reconstruction plan, the airline's rehabilitation plan will be submitted to the court under
the same law in July.
The reconstruction plan will be supplanted by the rehabilitation plan, under which the company will reduce its
capital by 100 percent and the bailout body will inject about 300 billion yen of public funds into JAL, after the
government approves the latter plan.
High-cost operations face ax
With the restructuring plan, JAL is set to take the ax to its high-cost operating system and improve its
profitability by slashing 15,700 of the about 47,000 workers in it and its group firms--7,300 more than the plan
drawn up by an expert task force in October--while its projected sales and operating profit for the business year
ending in March 2012 are almost the same as those projected by the task force.
JAL had originally planned to cut 6,800 jobs according to the reconstruction plan worked out under the
administration of former Prime Minister Taro Aso in September. Even under the plan worked out by the expert
task force, the planned job cut was set at just 8,400.
"Compared with such rivals as All Nippon Airways, JAL has an overwhelmingly larger number of personnel at
various workplaces," a source knowledgeable about the airline said. With the latest plan, the airline is set to
reduce jobs drastically under the supervision of the state-backed bailout body.
Meanwhile, it plans to close 27 branch offices in foreign countries, having reviewed the productivity of its sales
and marketing outlets, in light of the ever-increasing sales of airline tickets over the Internet.
But JAL has not spelled out any concrete figures for cutting its unprofitable routes at the moment. In the
previous plan, it planned to abolish 50 domestic and international routes, while the task force called for
abolishing 45 routes.
JAL plans to switch its business and capital tie-up partner from the current American Airlines to Delta Air Lines
of the United States--the world's largest airline--and is now entering the final phase of negotiations on the
switchover.
Meanwhile, ANA has sought approval from the government for taking over some international routes from
JAL, while winnowing overlapping service routes.
JAL's international routes will be greatly affected by developments in the business environment in the days
ahead. For this reason, the bailout body is believed to have concluded that it would be difficult to include any
concrete plan for cutting routes by the time JAL is scheduled to sign a formal contract with Delta next month.
JAL mileage points to be assured
The state-backed body leading JAL's turnaround announced Wednesday it would guarantee customers' mileage
program points and four other types of credit in its rehabilitation plan for the ailing carrier.
The turnaround body said, in addition to assuring mileage points, it would guarantee credit for commercial
transactions and lease credit for aircraft, as well as backing air tickets and complimentary gift certificates for
shareholders that have already been issued.
The turnaround body plans to limit confusion among JAL's business partners and customers by clearly
announcing the types of credit subject to guarantees prior to making a decision on providing the airline with
financial assistance. It also has added information in English on its Web site in a bid to head off credit
uncertainty overseas.
2,910 firms rely on JAL group
About 2,910 firms in this country are main business partners with JAL group firms, according to a credit
research company.
Damage to these companies due to so-called chain-reaction bankruptcy resulting from JAL's rehabilitation is
expected to be limited, as credit for general business with JAL is expected to be protected after the airline
applies for court-led restructuring under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law.
However, Tokyo Shoko Research said the reduction of JAL's flights to regional airports could have a ripple
effect on firms whose business depends on these operations.
Firms that handle livelihood-related services as well as entertainment companies, such as linen suppliers and
travel companies, comprise the largest category among the 2,910 firms. Firms that provide services and sales
mainly at regional airports also are likely to be affected.
Many of the firms are based in Chiba Prefecture, where Narita Airport is located, Tokyo and Osaka Prefecture,
as well as Okinawa Prefecture and Hokkaido, which have large tourism sectors. Most of the companies are
small or midsize firms with annual sales under 1 billion yen.
Tokyo Shoko Research compiled its findings by looking at firms in its database that primarily trade with JAL
group firms.
Finance Section (section containing items with financial consequence to our group):
FINANCE: CLAIMS/PBGC/HCTC/INSURANCE/PLANNING/TAX/ESTATE
Remaining financial items for retirees to watch:
After Aug 2007 these are retirement items remaining with financial consequence.
1. PBGC 2nd look re-calc at qualified annuity benefits - completed 8/24/07
2. PBGC make up lump payment for underpayments since termination: most reported
received 1/31/08
3. Final claim distribution by DAL through BSI - pending (now likely in '10 according to Kight)
4. Class Action suit against DAL concerning 5 yr look-back worth in excess of $100 million withdrawn
5. Final PBGC re-calc "determination" of qualified annuity (likely after claim stock sale) pending
6. Pension reinstatement/contribution request by DP3 representing the retired pilots. very long
shot....pending
7. Roth IRA creation as per Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 - deadline
June 22nd, 2009
8. Expiration of HCTC 80% premium subsidy will expire on December 31, 2010.
Insurance (issues about health, life or disability that are of interest):
Important Alert for HCTC Participants
January 15, 2010
Our Mission Statement
To work to preserve the earned pensions, health insurance and other benefits paid by Delta Air Lines to retired Delta pilots,
their dependents and survivors.
Dear Mark,
If you are receiving the HCTC, regardless of your insurance provider, you must notify
the HCTC when there is an increase in your premium. The HCTC will continue sending
the old premium payment, and you could lose your insurance coverage if the new
premium is not fully paid.
Delta increased the HCTC eligible COBRA premium effective January 1, 2010. If you did
not inform the HCTC of the increase, you are at risk of losing your DAL COBRA coverage.
You must act now to ensure your DAL COBRA premium is fully paid by January
31, 2010.
To check the status of your January health insurance and the amount due, follow these
steps:
· Logon to Delta Net
· Go to "Employee Information"
· Select "Self Service"
· Click on "Agree"
· Select "Benefits Direct" on the left side
· Select "Health, Disability and Insurances"
· Select "Coverage Payment" and scroll down to see if you have a balance due. If you
do, you'll see a message similar to the below:
Our records indicate that you have an outstanding balance of $89.48 which is due by
01/31/2010.
If we do not receive your full payment by the Payment Due Date, your benefits
coverage will be terminated retroactive to the last day of the month for which
we have received full payment. Your benefit coverage will not be reinstated if it
is terminated for a late or missing payment and you will be responsible for the
cost of any claims incurred as of the coverage termination date.
Again, if you do not pay your balance due prior to the end of this month, your Delta
Health Care coverage could be terminated and you will not be able to reinstate
coverage.
If you have a balance due, send payment (put your employee number in the "for"
section of the check) to the following address by January, 31, 2010:
Premium Payment
ACS HR Solutions for Delta Air Lines
P.O. Box 382119
Pittsburgh, PA 15251-8119
Since the HCTC will pay 80% of the increase in cost of the health coverage, you'll be
able to make a claim for that on your 2011 tax form (IRS form 8885 to claim 80% of the
amount you send to Delta).
This HCTC Registration Update Form (click link to download) must be faxed to the HCTC
at 866-627-4282 with your new payment amount included. Upon notification of the new
amount, the HCTC will forward this information to Delta for the following month. If you
cannot download the form, go to http://www.irs.gov/pub/irsutl/hctc_registration_update_form.pdf to print the form.
We recommend that you call the HCTC at 866-628-4282 to confirm they've received the
form with your new payment information.
Sincerely,
Will Buergey
Chairman, DP3
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thanks Howdy. Interesting for Vietnam Vets.
http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,208380,00.html?ESRC=dod.nl
Pension:
DP3 Chairman's Update
January 13, 2010
Our Mission Statement
To work to preserve the earned pensions, health insurance and other benefits paid by Delta Air Lines to retired Delta pilots,
their dependents and survivors.
Dear Mark,
Last week the DP3 Trustees held their monthly board meeting and discussed several
important topics affecting retired Delta pilots. The minutes of that meeting are now
posted on the DP3 website.
2010 DP3 Dues
We've established a membership dues level of $100 for 2010. By carefully managing
your funds, DP3 ended 2009 on sound financial footing. In the coming year, we're
moving forward with several important initiatives to try to maximize our final benefit
letters from the PBGC. This will require us to raise additional funds to meet our
anticipated professional expenses. While the bulk of our work is performed by volunteer
trustees elected by the DP3 membership, we have contracted with attorneys and other
professionals to help us protect or restore some of our hard earned benefits. The road
ahead will not be easy, but if we simply sit on the sidelines and leave our fate to others,
nothing will improve! DP3 is the only organization fighting to help retired Delta
pilots recoup some of our lost pensions.
Partnership with NRLN
To help us achieve our goals, we've decided to renew our membership in the National
Retiree Legislative Network (NRLN) in 2010. Some of you know that the DALRC recently
decided to end its relationship with the NRLN. However, after careful consideration,
your trustees believe that the NRLN's efforts will positively impact the retired Delta
pilots. In fact, some of NRLN's recent initiatives are geared directly for our benefit.
Specifically, last year I was elected to serve as a NRLN director and also agreed to chair
an ad-hoc committee designed to assist retirees in the event of a bankruptcy filing by
their former employer. DP3 Vice Chairman Wendell Lewis served as the sub-committee
chairman of the NRLN special committee dealing primarily with PBGC issues. As a result
of our efforts, the NRLN has adopted two whitepapers dealing with bankruptcy and PBGC
reforms. These whitepapers form the centerpiece of the NRLN's 2010 legislative
agenda. If enacted into law, the proposed PBGC reforms are designed to return most of
our lost qualified pension benefits to the retired Delta pilots while the bankruptcy
proposals will ensure that in future bankruptcy cases, retirees will be on a more equal
footing with other creditors in a bankruptcy case.
VEBA Update
Our VEBA attorney continues to work with Delta to secure the historical information we
need to obtain quotes from potential insurance providers. We had hoped Delta would
cooperate in this effort, allowing us to roll out a program as soon as possible. However,
so far the company seems most interested in avoiding any costs in establishing this
program even though we have demonstrated that a successful DP3 VEBA can save Delta
millions of dollars each year. In spite of the administrative setbacks we are still hopeful
of rolling out a VEBA option by late spring. We'll continue to advise you of our progress.
Qualifying for HCTC
The trustees are still searching for a way to make more retired pilots eligible for the
HCTC. We will be sending out a separate message requesting information that will help
us and our legal counsel assess how economically feasible our strategy choices are and
craft the appropriate action for addressing this issue.
HCTC January Billing
Finally, we pass this information along that we received from a DP3 member. Those
retired Delta pilots who are eligible for the HCTC may have a balance due on their
January medical premium and not know it. Each year the ESC sends the HCTC the new
year's medical insurance premiums. Normally this is done soon enough so the HCTC can
make the proper payment for January 1. This did not happen this year so the payment
made by the HCTC for Jan 1, 2010, is the 2009 premium. If you had an increase for
2010, you have a balance due which must be paid by Jan 31, 2010.
That's it for this update. Please remember that there is strength in numbers, and we
need every retired Delta pilot to help us help you. If you have friends who are not
currently Honor Roll members, please tell them about the efforts DP3 is making on
everyone's behalf.
Sincerely,
Will Buergey
Chairman, DP3
Visit our web page: www.dp3.org
Visit our BLOG: http://dp3org.wordpress.com/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Following string of emails re: Pension issue probably doesn’t apply to very many of us but does to DAL retirees
still with a pension:
From: George Chaudoin
Date: 1/15/2010 6:27:38 PM
Subject: From: ATL Delta Subj: DL Retiree Pension Tax Issues
From: ATL Delta
Subj: DL Retiree Pension Tax Issues
I was aware that the tax tables changed after the stimulus bill passed, and I noticed the decrease in federal taxes
deducted from my paycheck. I was under the impression that this affected everyone (including retirees), but
I’m not an expert on payroll, so I’m forwarding this along to be reviewed. I’ll let you know what I find
out.
From: jbozinny@vircom.net
This is for all Delta Retiree's Regarding TAX Issues Relating to Your
2009 Pension Income
Please Read
URGENT AND TIME SENSITIVE
To pre-merger Delta retirees and survivors:
The emails below are from a fellow pre-merger retiree, ATL airport
manager Gary Xantho. He has discovered a discrepancy regarding the
amount of federal tax Delta Payroll withheld from the 2009 pension
checks issued from April through December. This presents a potential
problem for retirees and possibly survivors in figuring their 2009
taxes. Please read all the messages, from the bottom up.
NOTE: In his email Gary mentions Delta Payroll responses he received
and sent. Because of the confidentiality notice attached to one
forwarded to me, I have omitted it; however, Gary has summarized
Payroll's answers in his remarks. I have also redacted two names for
privacy reasons.
I have forwarded Gary 's correspondence to the DALRC president, Ken
Boucher, and its board of directors so they can follow up on the
matter with the company. I hope they will urge Delta to meet with
the IRS as soon as possible to discuss it and reach a settlement.
Time is of the essence, as the 2009 electronic tax withholding forms
are scheduled to be up on DeltaNet beginning January 15. Therefore,
I also hope that an official statement will be issued shortly.
In the interim, I suggest the following actions:
Check DeltaNet and the Retiree Connection page regularly for an
announcement about updated federal withholding tax information;
If necessary, update your Employee Self-Service information with your
current personal email and snail-mail addresses and phone number(s)
through the ESS portal on DeltaNet, or by calling 1-800-MYDELTA for
non-computer instructions;
Do the same thing with your DALRC member account; and
Do not file your 2009 taxes until official statements, documents and/
or instructions concerning the correct federal withholding tax amount
have been issued. Hopefully, any delay will be short-lived.
Thank you for your attention. Please forward, post, read aloud or
print out this communication ASAP for other Delta retirees and
survivors. Also, please remember to use your email's Bcc field for
multiple addresses; this helps protect them from scammers and online
ID thieves.
Regards,
Barbara J. Hall
DL ATG/105 (ret. 2001)
halzmark11@hotmail.com
From: gjxantho@comcast.net
To: halzmark11@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Change in Federal Tax deduction-DCN 8269900
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:39:40 -0500
Hey Barb --
Here's the deal:
Jan 1 Pension check - noticed increase in Fed tax taken out - sent
off email to Payroll. Response was that "Government decided that the
2009 Stimulus back in Feb 2009 which resulted in a withholding
REDUCTION effective April 1 for all of us - no longer applied to
pension distributions". This is because the "Making Work Pay Tax
Credit" was to apply only to EARNED income/wages.
Next - I called IRS and they stated firmly that the "Making Work Pay
Tax Credit" withholding decrease effective April 1, 2009 did not
apply to pension payment/distributions, and that any entity
responsible for such distributions should have known that. Then, I
went back to Payroll with that info - and you see the response I got
today - in which Delta Payroll is now attempting to say that IRS
withholding tables back then did not properly reflect the fact that
pensions were not eligible. In addition - the reason the withholding
was increased Jan 1, 2010 is that they first said the IRS, as of
1/1/10, "no longer allowed the reduction for pensions". Fact is they NEVER allowed it for pensions!
The whole reason I started down this track is - I rough out my 2009
Income Tax Return last week and was SHOCKED to find out that I will
OWE between $750-$850!!!! Barbs - I file short form separately - no
deductions, no additional wages/earned income --- and last few years
I broke even or got a small refund!!
Now it looks like because Delta Payroll did not understand that the
Stimulus "Making Work Pay Tax Credit" lower withholding tables DID
NOT apply to pensions - we should not have received a larger net
check starting April 1, 2009. In short - pension checks for 9 months
of 2009 did not have the proper amount of Federal Withholding Tax
deducted - and now most retirees will have to "pay back" 9 months
reductions plus may be subject to penalties!!!
I copied (name withheld) in because I had lunch with () today - and I
think () boss needs to jump on this - as does DALRC (feel free to
share with them) and communicate this immediately to all retirees.
Some retirees who may have a lot of deductions and file the long form
may not notice this - but bottom line, it is not right. I am going
to call IRS back and read them the response from Payroll and see if
they will waive any penalties.
If you remember back around April 1, 2009 --- we simply received
higher net checks - there was NO communication from Delta or Payroll
at all explaining the "Making Work Pay Tax Credit", etc. Perhaps
this will be resolved, but if not, many retirees such as myself are
going to have to come up with a chunk of money by April 15th to pay
taxes.
That is my understanding so far - that is all I know. Will be
interesting to see if there is any mass statement on this.
Hope all is well with you Gary
From: Barbara Hall Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 8:26 PM
To: Gary Xantho Subject: Change in Federal Tax deduction-DCN 8269900
I can see your reply only. Please forward earlier communications, if
possible.
Thanks, B.
From: gjxantho@comcast.net
To: (Addresses Withheld)
Subject: Re: Change in Federal Tax deduction-DCN 8269900
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:35:52 -0500
Payroll: Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, this will be
placing a real hardship on most if not all people who received
pensions during 2009 since it appears we will have to pay back the
equivalent of 9 months Federal Tax withholding (the amount of the
decrease effective April 1, 2009 each month times 9) all at once when
we file our 2009 Federal Income Tax Return. This is not a good thing!
(Name Withheld): I firmly believe that (name withheld) needs to
look at this and that some sort of communication be sent out to all
Delta pensioners as soon as possible to explain and set
expectations. Otherwise, when everyone starts filing their tax
returns it could generate hundreds of unnecessary phone calls to "My
Delta", Benefits department, etc. Not sure who exactly responded to
my emails since the reply below (omitted) is signed "Payroll".
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Gary J. Xantho
NOTE; MY CHECK COMES FROM PBGC
Blue Side Up
George
Commercial Section……
Investment (Legitimate firms that have helped our groupare encouraged to contact PCN to add articles here):
Section reserved for future content.
Travel & Non-Revving (share a quick reco):
All buddy travel is embargoed on following 2010 dates:
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Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010
Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010
Monday, Feb. 1, 2010
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010
Monday, Feb.15, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010

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Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010
Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010
Monday, Nov. 29, 2010
Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010
Friday, Dec. 24, 2010
Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010
Life Section…
Misc Posts:
I don’t completely understand Jesse’s email but can anyone help the Captain out?
From: Jesse Bootenhoff jbootenhof@aol.com
01/17/2010 11:11 AM
F.C." Farouk" Stevens
His son just died and the family needs ,Farouks, middle name ASP. Send to
me please. I believe hi first name was Felton. Jesse
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tom Peace
Email tom.peace@stellarvisuals.com
Issue Area Pension
Comments Mark,
You asked what good has come from the Delta Pilots pension debacle. Not one darned thing that I can find! I
now an in the 'Body Bag" retirement program. I get to retire when they zip it up!
Much of my lump sum went into caring for my parents until their death. Mom lived to 92 and my Dad to 96.
What little was left, the economic crunch has made transparent.
Twelve years ago, I dusted off my degree in Radio, Television and Motion Pictures, started a video production
company and am managing to keep the wolf from the door by working my butt off 18 hours a day.
Yeah, I now have another profession that is interesting and rewarding, but it ain't what I wanted to do.
Saddest of all, I really drank the company Kool Aid about the 'Delta Family' for all of my career (30 years) only
to find out it was incestuous as I (and all of us) got screwed royally in the end!
Of course that might have a tendency to make one just a little bitter!
Sorry I couldn't be more consoling!
Tom Peace
MD-11 Capt Ret
Editor: Tom, first I applaud you for caring for your parents the way you did. Tain’t easy nor cheap.
Secondly, your story highlights something missed by almost every jealous exec and other personnel.
The retired pilot group took a far heavier loss (so far) than any other group, hands down and many
cases it came just at the worst possible time...
++++++++++++++++++++++
From: RAR56430
Date: 1/13/2010 1:36:14 PM
To: mark@pilotcommunication.net
Subject: EMBRY RIDDLE
MARK,
COULD YOU PUT THIS MEMO OUT TO RETIRED DELTA GROUP.
ANYONE OUT THERE A EMBRY RIDDLE GRAD? I COULD USE YOUR HELP.
I HAVE A GRANDSON IN CO., DAKOTA REVACK, WHO IS DETERMINED TO FLY AND TRYING
TO GET INTO EMBRY RIDDLE. HE CAN GET SOME FINANCIAL HELP IF HE HAS A ER GRAD
ENDORSE HIM. ANYONE WILLING TO DO THAT? HE GRADUATES IN MAY, IS ON THE
HONOR ROLL. ANY HELP IN REGARD TO THIS WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED.
THANKS, RUTH READY
WIDOW OF CAPT. JERRY L. READY
++++++++++++++++++++++
From: John L. McCarthy
Date: 1/12/2010 10:54:51 AM
Subject: Fw:
DELTAGANG = http://deltagang.blogspot.com/
YELLOWBIRDS = http://yellowbirds.blogspot.com/
Human Interest:
Emergency Weather Bulletin (Thanks Gary)
This text is from a county emergency manager out in the western part of the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan after a severe snow storm ...
The Mining Journal, Marquette, MI
WEATHER BULLETIN
Up here in the Northern part of Michigan we just recovered from a Historic event
--- may I even say a "Weather Event" of "Biblical Proportions" --- with a historic
blizzard of up to 44" inches of snow and winds to 90 MPH that broke trees in
half, knocked down utility poles, stranded hundreds of motorists in lethal snow
banks, closed ALL roads, isolated scores of communities and cut power to 10's of
thousands.
FYI:
Obama did not come.
FEMA did nothing.
No one howled for the government.
No one blamed the government.
No one even uttered an expletive on TV.
Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton did not visit.
Our Mayor's did not blame Obama or anyone else.
Our Governor did not blame Obama or anyone else either.
CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX, or NBC did not visit - or even report on this category 5
snow storm.
Nobody demanded $2,000 debit cards.
No one asked for a FEMA Trailer House.
No one looted.
Nobody - I mean Nobody demanded the government do something.
Nobody expected the government to do anything either.
No Larry King, No Bill O'Rielly, No Oprah, No Chris Mathews and No Geraldo
Rivera.
No Shaun Penn, No Barbara Striesand,
No Brad Pitt, No Hollywood types to be found.
Nope, we just melted the snow for water.
Sent out caravans of SUV's to pluck people out of snow engulfed cars.
The truck drivers pulled people out of snow banks and didn't ask for a penny.
Local restaurants made food, and the police and fire departments delivered it to
the snow bound families..
Families took in the stranded people - total strangers.
We fired up wood stoves, broke out coal oil lanterns or Coleman lanterns.
We put on an extra layers of clothes because up here it is "Work or Die".
We did not wait for some affirmative action government to get us out of a mess
created by being immobilized by a welfare program that trades votes for 'sittin
at home' checks.
Even though a Category 5 blizzard of this scale is not usual, we know it can
happen and how to deal with it ourselves.
I hope this gets passed on.
Maybe .....
SOME people will get the message ......
The world does Not owe you a living.
Good Read (Good book recommendation & Community Author’s blurbs):
Event Announcements
(Click here for PCN Org & Groups Page): to post pcn.calendar@gmail.com
From: Alan W. Price
Date: 1/12/2010 12:34:53 PM
To: mark@pilotcommunication.net
Subject: Hearts for Heroes: 11 Feb 10, Strand Theatre Marietta, Ga
Mark,
We are hosting an evening to honor our military and benefit the aviation wing of the Marietta Museum of History. This
is going to be a great evening…Dennis Haysbert of “The Unit” will be coming, retired 4-star Admiral Jim Ellis, whose
brother is a retired Delta captain, and former Gov. Roy Barnes among others. I’ve attached a promotional blurb about
the evening. How would I get a posting on PCN to spread the word?
Many thanks.
Alan Price
C: 678-549-6858
Hearts for Heroes
“Hearts for Heroes” will support the Aviation Wing of the Marietta Museum of History, while recognizing
Cobb County’s unique military history and heritage. “Hearts for Heroes” is on Thursday night, the 11th of
February, 2010 at the Strand Theatre. The program begins with a musical pre-concert at 6:30 PM, and the main
event from 7:00 PM. Former Governor Roy Barnes and Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens are honorary
co-hosts. Among the featured presenters are Dennis Haysbert (Of TV show “The Unit” fame), retired US Army
Command Master Sergent Eric Haney (Author of “Inside Delta Force”), and Major General Terry Nesbitt,
Adjutant General of the Georgia National Guard.
The evening will tell the fascinating story that our military, and military aviation in particular, has played in the
development of North Georgia. Former Governor and Mrs. Roy Barnes will host an “after” party at their home
on Whitlock Avenue. Tickets to the main event are $30, or $100 for the after-party, which includes admission
to the main event. We also welcome donations to invite deserving military personnel free of charge. “Hearts
for Heroes” is a fabulous opportunity to have fun while doing good. See you there!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Support the Aviation Wing of the Marietta Museum of History by joining
us at…
Hearts for Heroes – A Night to Honor Our Military

Former Governor Roy Barnes and Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens honorary co-hosts

National and local celebrities including Dennis Haysbert of the TV show “The Unit”; Eric Haney, author
of “Inside Delta Force”, and Maj Gen Terry Nesbitt, Adj Gen of the Georgia ANG.

Honor our military heroes, active and retired.

Come learn the fascinating story of Cobb County’s aviation history – a story that changed our world.
Fabulous aviation footage.

Live music featuring the Memory Lane Jazz Band, Vintage Vocals, and special guest Katie Kasben

Musical pre-concert at 6:30 PM; main event beginning at 7:00 PM.

“After” party hosted by former Governor Roy and Marie Barnes at their home on Whitlock Avenue

USO type program – wear your military and period dress. A fun evening of great memories.

Earl Smith Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square. Ticketing information at
http://www.earlsmithstrand.org/ or call 770-293-0080 and ask about “Hearts for Heroes”.
Good Deal/Bad Deal (Share a quick good deal or bad deal you have found – no commercials here!)
Hangar Flying (Share a bit of ole hangar flying with the net) :
Humor/Sobering or Fun (Share some “vulgarity free” humor with the net):
THE YEAR 1909 (thanks Bob)
This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine!
The year is 1909.
One hundred years ago.
What a difference a century makes!
Here are some statistics for the Year 1909 :
************ ********* *********
The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Fuel for this car was sold in drug stores only
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles
Of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the
Eiffel Tower!
The average wage in 1909 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year ..
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical
engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .
Ninety percent of all doctors had NO
COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which
Were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard. '
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used
Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from
Entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars..
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea Hadn't been invented yet.
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school..
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner
drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, 'Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the
mind,regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health'
( Shocking? DUH! )
Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic
help..
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE
U.S.A.!
Plus one more sad thought; 95 percent of the taxes we have now did not
exist in 1909
I am now going to forward this to someone else without typing it myself.
From there, it will be sent to others all over the WORLD - all in a matter
of seconds!
Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.
IT STAGGERS THE MIND
What a difference 100 years makes! And, can you imagine? I've been
alive for over 60 -- of them
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NINE WORDS WOMEN USE (Thanks Lane, Men listen up!)
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are
right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour.
Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more
minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and
you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end
in fine.
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement
often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot
and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you
about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can
make to a man... That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before
deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say
you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she
says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at
all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever : Is a woman's way of saying, "You're a jerk!"
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning
this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is
now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's
wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WELCOME TO TPA
(Terrorist-Proof Airlines)
We at TPA, Terrorist-Proof Airlines, are in the flying business!
We can absolutely guarantee no WALK-ON GUNS, KNIVES, BOX CUTTERS, SHOE-BOMBS or other
weapons will ever be carried onto OUR FLIGHTS !
Book your next flight with TPA, the safest airline in the industry.
Mark
Mark Sztanyo, PCN Dir
Pilot Communication Net
Contact the Net
Life on earth will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last!
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===================
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