DDPA was the only pilot retirement organization
that was effective in safeguarding the interests of the long term
disabled pilots and pilot survivors during the bankruptcy. Here’s
a short list of our accomplishments:
When
the Company ceased payment of non-qualified benefits to all
retirees October, 2005, we were successful in working with Delta
to get the offsets removed from monthly disability benefits.
Draft “restoration of benefit” letters citing the appropriate
references in the D&S Plan were prepared and made available to
over 300 LTD pilots who then forwarded these claim letters to HR.
As a result, all LTD pilots were paid retroactively in January
2006 for the improper offset which was restored and continues to
be received every month. Value of
this action: Approximately $8 million annually.
When the FAE retirement Plan was
terminated, DDPA worked with the Company using the precedence
referred to in number one above to again make sure that no LTD
pilot or survivor suffered a loss from improper offsets. The
other pilot retirement groups were not as successful.
When it came time to form a pilot committee under sec. 1114 of the
bankruptcy code to negotiate changes in all Delta retirees’
post-bankruptcy benefits, including disability and survivor
benefits, DDPA, with a great deal of help from former Pan Am LTD
pilots, succeeded in getting a survivor seated along with four LTD
pilots. Our pilot and survivor members made sure that all LTD
benefits emerged intact from the bankruptcy.
Value of this action: Priceless
When Delta attempted to reserve greater
latitude to change future D&S benefits, we were there to shield
every LTD pilot and survivor from potential harm. Our attorney,
Charles Dyke, a prominent authority in ERISA regulations, in
concert with bankruptcy experts in the internationally respected
firm of Thelen, Reid, Brown, Raysman, and Steiner, worked with
Delta’s bankruptcy counsel to amend the Plan of reorganization to
protect your interests.
WITH YOUR SUPPORT, DDPSA WILL PROVIDE CONTINUED
VIGILANCE OF THE D&S TRUST AND YOUR LIFELINE OF BENEFITS.
Where Will My Money Go?
It will largely be deposited in a “tax-exempt”
legal defense account. (Our operating expenses are nominal and
there are no paid employees.) And here’s the rest of the good
news, your contributions are fully deductible from your IRS
taxes. (See the link to our IRS tax-exempt letter on the
“Mission” page.) With every contribution received, our legal
defense fund will be growing and ready for the next challenge to
the D&S Plan and D&S Trust.
This is a challenge that will surely come. With
the uncertainty of oil prices, the economy, and the almost certain
possibility of a merger or consolidation, we may have to gear-up
sooner rather than later.
PLEASE JOIN US BY BECOMING A MEMBER OF DDPSA
We request $500 for
each NEW delta disabled pilot member
and $200 for each EXISTING
delta disabled pilot member. Each member will be automatically
billed for $200 annually following their initial payment.
We request $100 for each
survivor member.
Membership
is welcome to all retired pilots with spouses of record who selected single
annuity survivor’s benefit and who will someday need the resources
of the D&S Trust to pay their surviving spouse’s benefits.
John Erickson, retired LAX Capt.
Chairman, DDPSA
If you wish to pay by check, please make check payable to:
Delta Disabled Pilots and Survivors Association (DDPSA)
