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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:

Subject: Sztanyo Christmas Greeting

 

[pic]

 

Dear All,

 

    There is no hiding that this year has been a tough one for many people.  We trust that you are doing ok, and that the hope of Christmas is eternally encouraging for you.

    We have an online Christmas Greeting that is replacing our yearly paper version, designed for all of our Family and Friends. 

 

Please visit this safe link to our online card at: 

 

Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

 

  Mark & Barb Sztanyo

Mark’s Tidbits:

Events – Email in your events that are of interest locally or system-wide and we will post on the PCN calendar. The Calendar can become a very useful community tool. Email pcn.calendar@

INVITE New Members – I continue to hear from new signups that “they were with Dave for years but didn’t get switched over,” when I took over. NOTE: We purposely did not do any automatic switch over. In fact just to let you know what kind of character Dave has (and I am trying to emulate), he did not share his list with anyone, including his successor! So, bottom line; many of you have heard of the transition but some have not. The PCN doesn’t solicit any pilot or employee to join. We depend on word of mouth. You are that mouth. To the friends that you are personally connected, please invite them to get on our free, safe and informative net.

Lotsa News – Sorry about all the articles in the below News section. Lot going on!

News Section……

Delta News (Recent stories of interest): Yahoo, AJC

Saturday, December 12, 2009, 11:24am EST

U.S.-Japan pact may open door to DAL-JAL joint venture (see “pact” story in next section)

Atlanta Business Chronicle - by J. Scott Trubey Staff Writer

Delta Air Lines is hailing an open skies pact between the U.S. and Japan. The deal could pave the way for a joint venture between Delta and Japan Airlines, but American Airlines is also seeking a similar deal with the struggling Japanese carrier.

View Larger

The United States and Japan came to terms late Friday on a long awaited “open skies” agreement, a deal Delta Air Lines Inc. officials said could clear the way for a broad alliance between the world’s largest carrier and struggling Japan Airlines Corp.

The open skies deal would relax restrictions on flights between the two nations, and open opportunities for greater cooperation between U.S. and Japanese airlines. Though the deal could be a boon to Delta’s joint venture ambitions, it could also open the door for a broad pact between Japan Airlines (JAL) and the No. 2 carrier in the U.S., American Airlines.

Open skies deals generally allow greater cooperation between airlines and can allow for joint venture alliances, giving carriers the ability to coordinate routes, share marketing costs and share revenues no matter which airline operates the flight.

Read more:

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DAL Big Pilot Bid Out:

If you are a little bit curious as to what the latest bid is for the active guys, click on the following link:



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Australian regulators OK Delta, Virgin Blue plan

Delta, Virgin Blue get nod from Australian regulators for joint venture to coordinate flights

• By Harry R. Weber, AP Airlines Writer

• On 4:39 pm EST, Thursday December 10, 2009

ATLANTA (AP) -- Australian regulators have approved a joint venture between Delta Air Lines Inc. and Virgin Blue Airlines Group that would give the carriers greater flexibility in coordinating flights between the U.S. and Australia and to share revenue.

U.S. regulatory approval is pending, Delta said Thursday.

Delta already has immunity from antitrust laws to cooperate closely with Air France-KLM across the Atlantic.

A joint venture allows airlines to share cost and revenue on certain flights regardless of which airline owns or flies the aircraft. It differs from a simple codesharing agreement in which one airline bears all the cost but another airline might get a share of the revenue for booking a customer on a flight.

Delta started service to Australia over the summer. Virgin Blue Airlines Group operates V Australia.

Read More:

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Delta sees brighter revenue environment ahead

Delta Air Lines expects improving revenue environment to continue in months ahead

• By Harry R. Weber, AP Airlines Writer

• On 10:41 am EST, Wednesday December 9, 2009

ATLANTA (AP) -- Delta Air Lines Inc. expects the improving revenue environment to continue in the months ahead, though sales of premium seats remain pressured.

Chief Financial Officer Hank Halter told investors at a conference in New York Wednesday that Delta's revenue per available seat mile likely will show growth at some point in the first half of 2010. He said the rate of decline has been slowing.

Analysts are watching airlines' revenue projections carefully as an indicator of when the economic recovery may gain steam.

The world's biggest airline has significantly reduced the amount of debt coming due next year and has minimal capital spending planned.

Delta is not planning a major overhaul of the aircraft in its fleet. Halter's comments came after United Airlines said Tuesday it is ordering 50 new airplanes.

Delta owns or leases 1,001 aircraft, according to its Web site. The figure excludes some grounded aircraft and aircraft operated by third-party contract carriers.

Read More:

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$7M awarded to victim's family in Ky. plane crash

Family of Kentucky Comair crash victim awarded $7M in only passenger lawsuit to reach trial

• By Jeffrey Mcmurray, Associated Press Writer

• On 3:25 pm EST, Tuesday December 8, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- A jury has awarded more than $7 million to the family of a passenger killed in the 2006 crash of a Comair regional jet in Kentucky.

The suit filed by survivors of Bryan Keith Woodward is the only passenger lawsuit that has reached trial.

Flight 5191 crashed after trying to take off from a runway at Lexington's airport that was too short for commercial jets. Forty-nine people were killed. The National Transportation Safety Board found the pilots' failed to notice clues they were on the wrong runway.

The jury's award on Monday is the first phase of the lawsuit. Another jury will decide next year if the airline was negligent, making the family eligible for punitive damages.

Comair says it hopes the trial provides the family with some healing. Comair is a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Other Airline News (Recent stories of interest):

Deal to relax limits on flights between US, Japan

US, Japan reach agreement to relax limits on passenger, cargo flights between the 2 countries

• By David Koenig and Harry R. Weber, AP Airlines Writers

• On 3:22 am EST, Saturday December 12, 2009

An aviation agreement between the U.S. and Japan could usher in a new period of closer alliances among the major carriers in both countries.

United Airlines wasted no time in declaring that it will seek antitrust immunity for a joint venture with Continental Airlines Inc. and Japan's All Nippon Airways in which the three would work together to set prices and flight schedules on trans-Pacific routes.

But the real drama concerns the next deal. Japan Airlines, that country's largest carrier, is likely to seek antitrust immunity with Delta Air Lines Inc. or American Airlines, the two largest U.S. carriers.

Delta and American are already waging an unusually public fight over Japan Airlines. After Delta pledged $1 billion to prop up financially troubled JAL, American and its partners said they would invest $1.1 billion. The U.S. carriers are attracted by JAL's strong routes in Japan and China

Read More:

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[pic]

|[pic] | |

Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 10:33am CST  |  Modified: Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 2:54pm

American Airlines: open skies good for Japan

Dallas Business Journal - by Jeff Bounds Senior staff writer

American Airlines on Wednesday went public with lobbying efforts for a Japan-U.S. “open skies” agreement, which would pave the way for the carrier to receive antitrust clearance for its oneworld Alliance to include troubled Japan Airlines.

U.S. and Japanese negotiators are in talks in Washington this week on a replacement for an existing bilateral trade agreement that could include an open skies provision. This would liberalize the rules for aviation between the two countries and reduce government intervention. Published accounts say the closed-door talks could extend until Thursday or wrap up today.

At stake for American is an opportunity to enter joint ventures and seek antitrust immunity, which it would need for its oneworld Alliance. That alliance includes British Airways and Spain’s Iberia.

Read More:

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United Airlines orders Boeing 787 and Airbus A350

United Airlines takes go-slow approach on orders for 50 new Boeing, Airbus jetliners

• By Joshua Freed, AP Airlines Writer

• On 5:20 pm EST, Tuesday December 8, 2009

United Airlines is ordering 50 new airplanes the way some people ease into a cold lake. Toes first, and very slowly.

The deal announced Tuesday has several conservative pieces. United split its order between the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350, and waited until the depth of a recession so it could press for better prices. No planes will be delivered until 2016, and United has extensive rights to defer the orders. Perhaps most importantly, United only has to come up with $152 million over the next five years, putting off the day it will need to line up loans for its new planes.

At list prices the new jets would be worth more than $10 billion, with about $4 billion for Boeing's 787-8 and around $6 billion for the Airbus planes. United President John Tague said the carrier got a discount, which is common for jet orders, though he didn't specify how much.

Read More:

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UAL eyes trans-Pacific joint venture with ANA

United Airlines would like joint venture with Continental and ANA for trans-Pacific flying

• On 10:51 am EST, Wednesday December 9, 2009

CHICAGO (AP) -- A United Airlines executive says the carrier wants to pursue a joint venture with Continental Airlines and Japan's All Nippon Airways for flights across the Pacific.

Those three carriers already sell seats on each other's planes. A joint venture would allow closer coordination and more revenue sharing.

United Chief Financial Officer Kathryn Mikells told analysts on Wednesday that talks are under way between the three airlines for such a joint venture.

Before a joint venture could be set up, All Nippon Airways would need to be added to the antitrust immunity that United and Continental already have for international flights. And the U.S. and Japan would need an open skies agreement to free up flights between the two countries.

United is a unit of UAL Corp.

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Can Airlines Make a Comeback?



Jordan DiPietro

December 8, 2009

Airlines -- debt-riddled and commonly rumored to be entering bankruptcy -- are frequently highlighted as terrible investments. Companies such as U.S. Airways (NYSE: LCC) and AMR (NYSE: AMR) are generally tough sells to investors. In addition, airlines have an extraordinarily high elasticity of demand. For example, for every 1% that income drops, demand for airline travel drops by nearly 6%. In recessions, this sector is hit especially hard. 

However, The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the industry may be headed for a recovery. Last month, passenger miles and unit revenue increased by as much as 12% on a year-over-year basis for Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV). Although discount airlines like JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) performed better, the legacy carriers have also seen an increase in traffic. According to the Journal: "After a difficult year battling the recession, the airline industry appears to be headed toward a recovery as fuller planes, fewer discounted fares, lower fuel prices and revenue from a variety of formerly free services start to pay off."

However, Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) remains wary, noting it doesn’t expect the unit revenue comparisons to turn positive until mid-2010.

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.

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Marriage and Social Security Benefits

By Emily Brandon US News & World Report

Posted: January 9, 2008

Millions of couples blissfully say "I do" each year with perhaps only a fleeting thought of eventually retiring

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with their beloved. But married couples should pause to consider the array of Social Security options they have that their single counterparts don't.

Related Articles

• Taking Social Security Too Soon Can Cost You

• How Working Affects Retirement Benefits

• 10 Retirement Resolutions for 2008 (Dec. 24)

• 6 Tips on Retirement Account Withdrawals (Dec. 11)

• Video: Money Considerations for Retirement

While both members of a married couple are living, they are entitled to benefits based on their own earning records or a spouse's benefit equal to 50 percent of the higher earner's amount. Olivia Mitchell, a professor of insurance and risk management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, recommends that you compute your benefits based on your own salary history and then your spouse's. "So I would be entitled to half of my husband's Social Security benefit if it was more than I could get on my own," she says. "If my own benefit is greater than half of his, then I get mine. It would work the other way around too. It's sex neutral."

These benefits are reduced if claimed earlier than the full retirement age. For example, a woman claiming the spouse's benefit at age 62 will receive only 35 percent of her husband's primary insurance amount rather than the 50 percent payable at age 66, according to a recent paper by Alicia Munnell and Mauricio Soto of Boston College's Center for Retirement Research.

Widows and widowers also get a survivor's benefit equal to 100 percent of their spouse's benefits, if it's higher than what they would get on their own. And the longer claiming is delayed up until age 70, the more money the surviving spouse will receive.

So, while it's often best for single men to claim early because of their traditionally shorter life expectancy than women (and for single women to generally claim later), coupledom turns this notion on its head. Because married couples often combine their incomes, they can estimate their life expectancy and strategize about the best age for each to sign up for Social Security to maximize their benefits together as a couple or for the survivor.

"For a traditional couple where the guy is the higher earner, if he takes his benefits earlier, that affects his wife's benefits when she retires and his widow's benefit if he dies," Mitchell says. The optimal strategy for most married couples where the husband is the bigger breadwinner is for wives to claim early and husbands to delay claiming, Munnell found. The best outcomes for the couple were found in most cases when men delayed claiming until age 69.

But the best strategy for any given couple depends on the lower earner's bankroll and the age difference between the spouses, Munnell found. If the wife is entitled to a Social Security benefit equal to 40 percent or more of her husband's, she should claim benefits as early as possible at age 62 and the husband should wait until age 69, regardless of their age difference. The couple can then share her benefit at age 62 and her 35 percent of his benefit when he retires (reduced for her having claimed early). Assuming the husband dies first, the wife will then get 100 percent of his benefit.

For example, if a man is entitled to $1,414 per month at age 62, his wife, who is the same age and entitled to a $1,000 benefit of her own, is likely to receive $164,630 over her lifetime if she begins claiming her benefits at age 62, say James Mahaney and Peter Carlson of the University of Pennsylvania's Pension Research Council in a working paper. Her benefit is too high to allow her to claim 50 percent of her husband's earnings, but should her husband die before her, she will get her husband's full survivor's benefit, plus any cost-of-living increases. If she waited until age 66 to claim, she would get only $162,081 over her lifetime (and $150,867 if she waited until age 70), assuming both she and her husband have an average life expectancy.

If the woman is entitled to only $300 a month on her own, she should still claim at age 62, Mahaney and Carlson found, as she could expect to receive $115,486 over her lifetime once she collects her portion of her husband's higher benefit and her survivor's benefits. Delaying until age 66 would net her only $114,591, and further delaying until age 70 would produce just $111,227.

But if the wife is entitled to less than 40 percent of her husband's benefit on her own, age differences come into play. If the spouses are the same age and the wife gets between 30 and 40 percent of her husband's benefit on her own, the wife should wait until her full retirement age (66 for the first wave of baby boomers retiring this year) to maximize the amount of money the couple will receive in retirement, Munnell and Soto found. And if the wife gets less than a third of her husband's benefit but is the same age, the wife should claim early and the husband should claim at his normal retirement age, when she'll get bumped up to receive a portion of his benefit. But if the woman is significantly younger in either case, she should claim early and he late to maximize her survivor's benefit.

Insurance (issues about health, life or disability that are of interest):

Pension:

Commercial Section……

Investment (Legitimate firms that have helped our group are encouraged to contact PCN to add articles here):

Section reserved for future content.

Travel & Non-Revving (share a quick reco):

DLNet/ DNN

Nonrev baggage restrictions lifted for Central American destinations

December 10, 2009

Starting Tuesday, the limit of one checked bag for nonrevenue travelers on flights between Atlanta and Central America will be lifted.

The previously published baggage guidelines will apply on flights between Atlanta and Guatemala City, Guatemala; San Salvador, El Salvador; and Managua, Nicaragua.

The one bag limit for nonrevs still applies on flights between Atlanta and Guadalajara, Mexico; Johannesburg, South Africa; Lagos, Nigeria; and Dakar, Senegal.

See Also:

Check the Alerts page on the Pass Travel site for more travel advisories.

DLNet/ DNN

Familiarize Buddy Pass riders for holiday travel experience SEE "TRAVEL FEES" BELOW

December 10, 2009

As the holiday travel season gets under way, employees can educate their Buddy Pass riders on Delta’s pass travel policies to ensure they have the most enjoyable travel experience possible.

“We sometimes hear that buddies are not clear that pass travel is standby and that seating is not confirmed,” said Charlotte Johnson, general manager-Benefits. “Employees can really help by briefing their buddies thoroughly on the nonrev travel experience and encouraging questions before they travel. Of course, good travel etiquette is expected from all pass riders, including buddies.”

Buddy Pass travel for the Delta and Northwest operations is embargoed on Dec. 19, Dec. 24 and Dec. 27; and Jan. 2, Jan. 3 and Jan. 4. Buddies should also use caution when attempting to travel on a date immediately preceding an embargo date.

Delta’s travel policies state that employees are responsible for the behavior of those using their buddy passes. If a Buddy Pass rider has a disappointing flight experience, the buddy should discuss it with the employee for follow-up. Buddies should not voice their concerns on Internet blogs or other social media sites.

Additionally, profiting from the sale, barter or trading of pass travel privileges, including Buddy Passes, whether directly or through a broker, is a violation of Delta’s policies and also has a significant negative impact on Delta’s revenue.

Employees who engage in this activity, or whose buddies violate other Delta policies, are subject to disciplinary action that could include the loss of all their pass travel privileges or even termination of their employment.

See Also:

Review the Jetiquette fact sheet on nonrevenue travel.

Review the Who’s Your Buddy? travel fact sheet.

Did you know that your pass travel privileges extend beyond your immediate family? Our Family & Friends

Travel Program, more commonly known as the Buddy Pass Program, lets your extended family members and friends (your “Buddies”) fly standby for leisure travel anywhere on Delta at a reduced rate. This fact sheet provides an overview of the revised Buddy Pass Program, effective June 23, 2009, for employees, retirees and survivors.

OVERVIEW

If you are an eligible employee, retiree or survivor, you receive an allotment of eight Buddy Passes (electronic authorizations) each year on your pass eligibility date (generally, your date of hire). If you are a newly hired employee, you will receive your initial allotment of Buddy Passes after you complete one year of service. Buddy Passes don’t carry over from year to year – you use them or lose them. Each of your eight Buddy Passes is valid for one-way or round-trip travel. (NOTE: You do not receive 16 one-way Buddy Passes.) Your Buddy can make one en route stopover in each direction, however circle trips or nonstandard routings will require the use of an additional Buddy Pass.

The Buddy Pass program will differ for Delta and Northwest employees until inventory integration in 2010 because we continue to operate with two separate reservation systems, Deltamatic and PARS. Due to these technology constraints, pre-merger Delta employees, retirees and survivors will be limited to using their Buddy Passes on Delta routes until full inventory integration in 2010.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Buddy Pass program was developed as a way to allow employees and retirees to share their travel privileges with people outside their immediate, pass-eligible family. You are expected to know those to whom you give these privileges, and you are responsible for their behavior when they travel. Unfortunately, Buddy Pass misuse is a reality. On any given day, eBay® and craigslist show Buddy Passes and travel companion authorizations for sale. In some cases, employees have turned their Buddy Passes over to Buddy Pass “brokers” who sell them to unsuspecting travelers or to individuals associated with illegal or suspicious activities. Whether directly or through a broker, profiting from the sale, barter or trading of travel privileges, including Buddy Passes, is a direct violation of our policy and has a significant impact on Delta’s revenue. Those who engage in this activity subject themselves to disciplinary action, including loss of all travel privileges or even termination of employment.

Of course, most of you are using your Buddy Passes appropriately, but even then there are some things to keep in mind:

Travel is Standby. Make sure your Buddies are aware that this is standby travel. (Believe it or not, some are surprised to discover this!) They may not always be able to travel on their desired flight and must be very flexible. A Buddy Pass might not be the best travel option for a friend who has an important event to attend.

Seating is Limited. Particularly on international travel where Delta frequencies can be limited, remember that Buddies don’t have the same other-airline travel possibilities that you and your immediate family have.

Proper Nonrev Travel Etiquette is Expected. Your Buddies must conduct themselves in accordance with acceptable standards of business travel etiquette, just like any pass rider. Make sure they are aware of the following:                            

o Delta has a relaxed dress code, but that doesn’t mean a sloppy appearance is acceptable. Just like nonrevenue passengers, your Buddies should never wear unclean, revealing or lewd garments, swimwear or sleepwear on a flight.

o Buddies should not argue with airport, in-flight or Reservation employees. If they disagree with an action taken, you can resolve it for them through proper channels after they travel.

o If your Buddies need to speak with Delta Reservation Sales, tell them to keep their calls short and courteous at all times. Our Reservation agents’ primary responsibility is to sell Delta to our confirmed passengers, not to check availability for your Buddies on a dozen different flights. Encourage your Buddies to use the Travel Line to check availability (see Flight Availability below).

Remember, you are responsible for the actions of your Buddies during the entire travel experience. If they misbehave, it reflects poorly on Delta and can mean disciplinary action for you. For more information on nonrev travel etiquette, check out the “Jetiquette” fact sheet.

TICKETING AND CHECK-IN

Ticketing. When your Buddy is ready to travel, use TravelNet to check pricing and to exchange one of your Buddy Passes into an electronic ticket (e-ticket). Log in to TravelNet using your nine-character PPR number (DL Passport ID) and Passport password. You’ll find a handy online TravelNet tutorial that explains the Buddy Pass ticketing process step-by-step – perfect for the first-time user or anyone who needs a little refresher. If you want to check approximate pricing for a Buddy Pass itinerary before completing the ticketing process, check out the Buddy Pass Fare Calculator accessible from the Tools menu on TravelNet.

Buddy Pass tickets are valid for one-way or round-trip travel. A completely unused one-way Buddy Pass ticket may be reissued for a round-trip Buddy Pass ticket (see “Reissues” below). However, a used one-way Buddy Pass ticket cannot be reissued for a round-trip ticket. An additional Buddy Pass must be exchanged for your Buddy to continue travel.

You’ll need some of your Buddy’s personal information, including full name, address, telephone number and birth date, as well as your Buddy’s credit or debit card information. Of course you can use your own credit or debit card if you’re feeling generous! Just make sure you enter your Buddy’s name correctly before purchasing the e-ticket. Buddy Pass tickets are non-transferable. And finally, if your Buddy is traveling with an infant in a car seat that will occupy a seat, you must use a separate Buddy Pass for the child.

Your Annual Activation Fee must be paid before your Buddy travels. Buddy Pass tickets issued in the prior pass eligibility year cannot be used for travel in the current pass eligibility year unless the Annual Activation Fee for the current year has been paid.

Travel Embargoes. We occasionally must embargo Buddy Passes to certain destinations on peak travel dates or unusual circumstances to limit the impact to the operation. Check TravelNet for the most current station list. In addition, all new international stations announced after July 1, 2009, will embargo Buddy Pass travel for one year to allow the local station team to focus on our revenue passengers while familiarizing themselves with our pass policies.

Make sure your Buddies use caution when attempting to fly just before an embargo date since embargo dates apply to all Buddies, including those whose travel has already begun.

Flight Availability. Your Buddies can check flight availability using Delta’s toll-free Travel Line at 1-800 MY DELTA (1-800-693-3582) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just make sure they know your PPR number and pass eligibility date.

Check-in. There are several ways for your Buddies to check in for a flight. Check out the “Leaving on a Jet Plane” fact sheet for more information.

Travel Fees. Starting with full inventory integration in 2010, Buddies will be subject to the same fees that a regular revenue passenger would incur (first and second checked-bag fees, carry-on pet fees, etc.).

Reissues. You can change a Buddy Pass ticket on TravelNet at no charge (except the fare difference, if applicable). However, if you or your Buddy requests agent assistance to change the Buddy Pass ticket, a $25 service fee (plus the fare difference, if applicable) will be charged if the routing changes by more than 100 miles. All travel must be completed within one year from the date the authorization was originally converted into an e-ticket.

Refunds. Buddy Pass tickets may be refunded up to one year from the original issue date. Refunding a Buddy Pass ticket, even if unused, does not make the authorization available to be issued to another passenger.

Life Section…

Misc Posts:

From: kerschner

Date: 12/8/2009 1:29:12 PM

To: MARK@

Subject: RETIRED AIRLINE CAPTAIN NOT AN EX-PILOT OR FORMER PILOT

 

GOOD TUESDAY AFTERNOON MARK,

 

FIRST OF ALL THNX MUCH FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING FOR ALL OF US. YOU ARE A STAR.

 

This is something you may want to enter in Mark's Remarks.  No attribution to me needed.

 

The Chief Pilot at PDX in the mid 90s, Captain Wayne-Bubba Bundrick warned every retiring pilot at his retirement ceremony of this:

 

"Never allow anyone to ever, call you an ex-pilot or a former pilot. You are a 'Retired Airline Captain'. Have you ever heard anyone call a retired physician an ex-doctor?"

 

Mark, sincere best wishes for you and your family for a very Blessed Christmas, and blue skies always,

 

Bill Kerschner, retired Airline Captain, Delta Air Lines

Editor: Bill, I like the way you think. But come to think of it, I always have! Come on all you guys out there start insisting you are called by “what” you are.

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SNOPES follow ups:

[pic]From: Wally Mason

Date: 12/8/2009 3:31:26 PM

To: mark@

Subject: SNOPES UNRELIABLE - UNTRUSTWORTHY

2009/04/snopescom/

tag/snopes/

 

Hi Mark,

Regarding your comment that you can't fact check it all, I share your pain. But, there is a lot of stuff "out there" that never stops coming. All very clever and subtle and some trying to dis-credit the fact checkers. I came across the same e-mails and came up with the above links. I feel that they should be passed along to the pilot group.

The links go far in dispelling the latest charge against Snopes.

You do a great job and keep it up

Thanks

Wally Mason

ret'd 1992

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From: Bob Pike

Date: 12/7/2009 10:02:14 AM

To: Mark Sztanyo

Subject: Urban Legends

 Mark-

For more background on Snopes, check out the Reader's Digest article (Rumor Detectives: True Story or Online Hoax? | Cracking Cases | Reader's Digest ) or the wikipedia entry ( - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ).  Over the years I have found them to be accurate and unbiased.  There are several other sites that can also be used to check out potential Urban Legends - , , urbanlegends. - and more . . .

Bob Pike

*****************

From: Barry Boustead

Date: 12/7/2009 9:31:27 AM

To: Mark Sztanyo;  Mark Sztanyo;  Mark Sztanyo

Subject: Snopes

 Hi Mark,

Not to be a pain, but as far as Snopes, you can look up the references on or Wikipedia (which references the article. It is true they are a couple, but they are pretty apolitical (according to ) and they do reference the additional sources. They are WAY better than not checking anything and you can crossreference with .

Barry

*****************

From: Gerald B. Smith

Date: 12/6/2009 7:43:53 PM

To: mark@

Subject: Snopes

 Mark,

 Your explanation on forwarding errors provided by some of our cohorts was on target until you slammed Snopes. Although I do not always agree with the conclusions reached by the Mikkelsons, I believe that they are honest in their evaluations and strive to employ scholarly research. I use several internet research firms on a daily basis, and I consider Snopes to be the most comprehensive and reliable of the group.

 By the way, my own political bent is somewhere to the right of Attila the Hun, so I cannot be accused of siding with a liberal take on anything.

Keep up your good work.

 Gerald (Jerry) B. Smith

Captain, retired 1/1/97

******************

Charles Chauvin    charleschauvin@

Issue Area - General

Comments - I use for most of the BS that comes over the internet.  The Annenburg Foundation supports this and it seems to clarify statements(or debunk) both sides of the political aisle. is part of the nonprofit Annenburg Foundation

**************

From: Phil Couch

Date: 12/6/2009 7:53:52 PM

To: mark@

Subject: Snopes

4.         Further, many of you quoted snopes and many of us (including myself)  have used snopes.  I would, however, caution you about the veracity of snopes itself.  Seems that snopes, which sounds like a big investigative organization,  instead is just a man and wife working out of their San Fernando Valley garage with not only the obvious limitations but accusations of having a hidden agenda.

Since you fell for what is yet another hoax about Snopes.  Look at the links below.

 



Editor: Well, I think I would be best to leave snopes alone. It tends to get me into trouble. That’s why I shared quite freely that the forward sent to me that I shared “snoped me” because I didn’t check it out. Phil, I really don’t think I “fell” for another hoax. As I stated above, that others have made “accusations of (snopes) having a hidden agenda.” I didn’t say I believe that. But I mentioned the caution because of two reasons. No one has yet offered evidence that snopes isn’t just a man and wife working from home. Nor have I found complete verification that snopes is apolitical. That said, allow me to offer a quote from the Fact Check article that you sent me in the link above. Here is the quote;

“A Final Warning

The e-mail’s last paragraph advises that everyone who goes to for "the bottom line facts" should "proceed with caution." We think that’s terrific advice, not just in connection with material on Snopes but for practically anything a reader finds online — including articles on . The very reason we list our sources (as does ) and provide links is so that readers can check things out for themselves.” Viveca Novak, Fact Check

I would simply add that that advice applies to the High Life as well. There is an interesting similarity between Fact Check’s quote and my item 4. above, it is the word “caution.” Mark

**************************

Joe Fatuzzo capt.b777@

Issue Area - General

Comments - Mark,

Reference the heat you took for posting the information about listing cell phones to avoid unwanted advertising calls.

I have read and appreciated your email/blog for several years now and have never felt the need to write before, but I sure do now!!

I for one thoroughly appreciate all your efforts and have on several occasions used info I received in one of your emails to my and my family's benefit.  I have no problem if one of the posts is incorrect and to the contrary do not blame you if it is incorrect in any way, it is up to me check it out.

To all those who lambasted you, in particular xxx, I recommend that they "get a LIFE", and if nothing else get off their collective retired typewriters and lend a hand if they don't like the content of what you work so hard to put for free to all of us!!

That's my 'humble' opinion and I stick by it like it or not.

Happy Holidays to you and yours and truly thank you for all your hard work keep it coming!!

Joe Fatuzzo

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

From: Frank Caruso

Date: 12/6/2009 7:19:34 PM

To: misc@

Subject: Canadian Pharmacy

Mark,

We have used a Canadian Pharmacy over past seven years with great success:

There is also a good website to compare Canadian and other pharmacy locations for comparison of drug prices. In addition, these have also been verified as reputable according to the following listed on the site:

was founded by a medical doctor in 2003 to help consumers safely save money on medication. It independently checks the credentials of online pharmacies and lets you easily compare drug prices. Its online pharmacy verification program is the largest and most accepted -- referenced by AARP Magazine, Smart Money, and Consumer Reports. Google, Yahoo! and MSN require verification of their online pharmacy advertisers.

Good luck and, as in all things online, let the buyer beware.

Frank

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

From: Albert Caiazza

Date: 12/6/2009 9:26:36 PM

To: misc@

Subject: IPOD touch

I tried to get the Delta Travel net with the IPOD touch but could not log on. Does anyone know the trick as I have read that it is possible? Bill Caiazza

Editor: Can any IPOD users help Bill? The Moto Droid that I have does this just fine.

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

[pic]From: Rik Nahas

Date: 12/10/2009 1:04:41 PM

To: MarkSztanyo

Subject: Re: Fw: 9623260150

 

Hi Mark 

Best wishes to you and your wonderful family.Special and heartfelt Thanks again for all you do for us retirees.

God bless you, 

Rik nahas

Human Interest:

Good Read (Good book recommendation & Community Author’s blurbs):

From: Captain Nicholas Gravino Jr.

Date: 12/11/2009 7:31:22 AM

To: mark@

Subject: A Pilot's Memoirs-From The Ground Up

Mark,

    My book entitled "A Pilot's Memoirs-From The Ground Up" was published in October of 2008. It is the no nonsense story of my 41 year career within all aspects of the Aviation Industry. My love for Aviation began at age three at the New York World's Fair of 1939. I have "Been There, Done That" from Passenger Service Agent through the ranks and retired as a B767 ER Captain. I was also assigned to US Naval Meteorology (Aerology) and FAA Air Traffic Control in New York Center. I go into how 911 could have been averted and what really brought down TWA 800 in July of 1996. My website is . It is a great read and quite interesting.

 

Sincerely, 

Captain Nicholas Gravino Jr.

Delta Air Lines, ret.

Event Announcements (Click here for PCN Org & Groups Page): to post pcn.calendar@

From: DWSkjerven@

Date: 12/11/2009 3:35:18 PM

Subject: 3rd Thursday ORD DC-9 Simulated Layover

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! 

To add to your holiday cheer, don't forget about the 3rd Thursday of the Month ORD DC-9 Simulated Layover this coming Thursday the 17th which gives you plenty of time to recover by Christmas.

As always, it is at 19:00 at Nick's Pizza & Pub, 856 Pyott Road, Crystal Lake, IL or about 1/2 mile north of the Lake In The Hills airport.  Everyone is welcome, bring Santa, bring your visiting Mother-In-Law, bring a new Northwest now Delta friend.  Bring an elf if you are into that along with plenty of Christmas cheer.

See you there, David W. Skjerven

P.S. Linda Fitzpatrick , are you bringing your Flight Attendant group?  We hope so.

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

Come celebrate Holly Days in The Museum Store. Items that have been drastically reduced just in time to help you with your holiday shopping include

• Gemini Jets

• Wooden models

• All Christopher Radko ornaments

• Infant and toddler apparel

• Much, much more

The Museum Store is located in Historic Hangar 1 at Delta’s General Office complex and is open Monday – Thursday, 9a-4p.

Hope to see you soon,

Judy

 

Judy Bean

Heritage Museum Store Manager

404-773-1219

Judy.M.Bean@

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) :

Subject: Changes to the FAA's DUI Policy for Pilots (Thanks Dick for sharing)

Pilots,

If you get stopped, DON'T refuse the blood alcohol test (unless you have some other good reason to,

like multiple DUI's in the past...) else your next medical is going to be markedly delayed, and a lot more

expensive.  Even if you exceed the highway 0.08% .. it's a  long way to 0.15% ... and if it's your first, your

medical can be issued w. a phone call ... and don't forget to report the ARREST .... even if not convicted.

This is not a "proposed" rule .. it is in force now:



Rich

PS - the breathalyzer is notoriously inaccurate, especially if you've been drinking within 15-30 min. ... so

ask for a blood alcohol test.

Changes to the FAA's DUI Policy for Pilots

 

The FAA has made a few notable changes to its driving under the influence (DUI) policy.

What HAS changed:

• Pilots who are charged with a DUI (even first-time offenders) AND whose blood-alcohol content exceeded 0.15 percent when charged OR who refused a blood alcohol test will automatically have their next FAA medical application deferred. The local AME will be required to transfer this application to the FAA’s aerospace medical certification division for further review.

• If a pilot’s medical application is deferred for this reason, he or she must receive a substance-abuse evaluation from a recognized counselor (DOT substance abuse professional) in order to be further considered for a medical certificate. An AME cannot perform this evaluation without additional certification by the DOT (not the FAA).

This will make the renewal process longer and more arduous. Pilots must account for the additional time needed when reapplying for a medical certificate post-DUI incident.

What HAS NOT changed:

• Pilots must report arrests, convictions and administrative actions by checking "yes" at line 18.v of FAA Form 8500-8. Failure to report and provide the requested information will result in the revocation of your medical certificate and your airman certificate.

• Pilots must also report to the FAA any DUI-related actions within 60 days to FAA Security, per Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 61.15 (e). If airmen do not report such occurrences within 60 days, they are risking a revocation or suspension of their airman certificate and medical certificate. Pilots must also report any such occurrences on their next FAA medical examination.

• The FAA cross-checks national databases weekly, such as the National Driver Registry, to see if any airmen have a DUI-related arrest, conviction or administrative actions and then checks medical examination records to see if those identified pilots have informed the FAA of the offenses. If not, those airmen could lose their airmen and medical certificates.

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

Hi Mark,

Thanks for all the nice work.

I think many of us older guys might enjoy this.  Bob brubaker77@



 

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

Kevin Garrison’s Blog:



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

Modeler extraordinaire Young C. Park (This guy’s work will blow you away!!!!)



Humor/Sobering or Fun (Share some “vulgarity free” humor with the net):

That's How the Fight Started  (thanks Mom, I think!)

My wife and I were watching Who  Wants To Be A Millionaire while we were in bed.  

I turned to  her and said, "Do you want to have sex?" "No," she answered.  

I then said, "Is that your final answer?" She didn't even  look at me this time, simply saying "Yes."

So I said,  "Then I'd like to phone a friend."

And that's when the  fight started....

[pic]

I asked my wife, "Where  do you want to go for our anniversary? "

It warmed my heart  to see her face melt in sweet appreciation.

"Somewhere I  haven't been in a long time!" she said.

So I suggested,  "How about the kitchen?"

And that's when the fight  started.....

 

[pic]

Saturday morning I got up early,  quietly dressed, made my lunch, grabbed the dog, and slipped  quietly into the garage.

I hooked up the boat up to the  truck, and proceeded to back out into a torrential downpour.  

The wind was blowing 50 mph, so I pulled back into the  garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the weather  would be bad all day.

I went back into the house, quietly  undressed, and slipped back into bed.

I cuddled up to my  wife's back, now with a different anticipation, and  whispered,

'The weather out there is  terrible.'

My loving wife of 10 years replied, 'Can you  believe my stupid husband is out fishing in that?'

And  then the fight started ...

 

[pic]

 

I tried to talk my wife into  buying a case of Miller Light for $14.95.

Instead, she  bought a jar of cold cream for $7.95.

I told her the beer  would make her look better at night than the cold cream.  

And then the fight started....  

[pic]

A woman was standing nude,  looking in the bedroom mirror.

She was not happy with what  she saw and said to her husband,

'I feel horrible; I  look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a  compliment.'

The husband replies, 'Your eyesight's damn  near perfect.'

And then the fight started..... .  

[pic]

I took my wife to a restaurant.  The waiter, for some reason, took my order first.

"I'll  have the strip steak, medium rare, please."

He said,  "Aren't you worried about the mad cow?""

Nah, she can  order for herself."

And then the fight started....  

[pic]

My wife and I were sitting at a  table at my high school reunion,

And I kept staring at a  drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone at a nearby  table.

My wife asked, 'Do you know her?'

'Yes,' I  sighed, 'She's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to  drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I  hear she hasn't been sober since.'

'My God!' said my wife,  'who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?'  

And then the fight started...

[pic]

After retiring, I went to the  Social Security office to apply for Social Security.

The  woman behind the counter asked me for my driver's license to  verify my age.

I looked in my pockets and realized I had  left my wallet at home.

I told the woman that I was very  sorry, but I would have to go home and come back later..  

The woman said, 'Unbutton your shirt.' So I opened my  shirt revealing my curly silver hair.

She said, 'That  silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me'

And she  processed my Social Security application.

When I got home,  I excitedly told my wife about my experience at the Social  Security office.

She said, 'You should have dropped your  pants. You might have gotten disability, too.'

And then  the fight started....

[pic]

My wife sat down on the couch  next to me as I was flipping channels.

She asked, 'What's  on TV?'

I said, 'Dust.'

And then the fight started...  

[pic]

My wife was hinting about what  she wanted for our upcoming anniversary.

She said, 'I want  something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds.'  

I bought her a scale.

And then the fight started...  

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

(Thanks Dave)

Something WAS inside that Balloon that was Chased across Colorado.

[pic]

Well after it landed...

[pic]

This is what they Found inside,

[pic]

_____________________________________________________________

Mark

Mark Sztanyo, PCN Dir

Pilot Communication Net

Contact the Net

Merry Christmas to all!

Life on earth will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last!

Serving the Delta community, and pilots (active and retired) and their families, including original Delta, and former: Northeast, Pan-Am, Western, NWA, Republic, North-Central, Southern Airways, Hughes- Airwest,  and all the Delta Connection carriers.

 

 ===================

Delta Pilots Pension Preservation Organization -  

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