Options
Well, not much new information about the Alaska-Virgin merger, but at least the options have become a little more clear:
Retirement option: Alaska just goes ahead and retires me, with the usual airline retirement benefit of free flights (albeit standby) for life. Leaves me free to find something else. This option may not be available, but it's what I was working toward with Virgin. Had another 3 1/2 years to go -- it's based on your age plus length of service, which has to equal 70. Should (hopefully) transfer over to Alaska, where the retirement scheme seems to be 10 years of work plus age 55. Even if they don't just retire me right off, I'd retire from Alaska even before I'd retire from Virgin!
Severance option: This option has already been announced. Severance package of 3 weeks salary for each year at Virgin, plus 3 years of standby travel. I'd get 21 weeks of salary.
Alaska option: Stay with Virgin and transition to Alaska Airlines. When available, transfer down to Palm Springs, where if my seniority stands, I'd be in the middle of the pack. Retire when available and get free flights for life.
Unbearable option: If work becomes unbearable (like if people quit and those remaining are way overworked), then just quit as well.
I'll keep you abreast as I find out more info ...
Retirement option: Alaska just goes ahead and retires me, with the usual airline retirement benefit of free flights (albeit standby) for life. Leaves me free to find something else. This option may not be available, but it's what I was working toward with Virgin. Had another 3 1/2 years to go -- it's based on your age plus length of service, which has to equal 70. Should (hopefully) transfer over to Alaska, where the retirement scheme seems to be 10 years of work plus age 55. Even if they don't just retire me right off, I'd retire from Alaska even before I'd retire from Virgin!
Severance option: This option has already been announced. Severance package of 3 weeks salary for each year at Virgin, plus 3 years of standby travel. I'd get 21 weeks of salary.
Alaska option: Stay with Virgin and transition to Alaska Airlines. When available, transfer down to Palm Springs, where if my seniority stands, I'd be in the middle of the pack. Retire when available and get free flights for life.
Unbearable option: If work becomes unbearable (like if people quit and those remaining are way overworked), then just quit as well.
I'll keep you abreast as I find out more info ...