Letter from 9/11 pilot's widow. UAL and pensions

[babylonsister]

I don't know if this has been posted, don't know where to post, but thought DU might like to read all about it.


My name is Ellen Saracini. My husband Captain Victor J. Saracini was
the captain of United Flight 175 that struck the south tower of the
World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 at 9:03 am. While no one
could have imagined the events of that infamous day, neither could
Victor have imagined what would be happening right now to his wife and his two daughters.

I am writing this letter to voice to you what is being taken away from Victor and his family. If you knew my husband you would know he was a true family man who made sure his family's future was provided for. I am currently receiving the spousal portion of Victor's pension, which is 50% of what he thought would be there for his family. After United took away our ESOP stock, this pension is how I am supporting our two daughters and myself.

I was given a choice to sue the Airlines, Port Authority, and others,
or join in the victims' compensation fund set up by the government. I
pledged I would not sue and proceeded with the fund; after all, this
is the company Victor was so proud to work for and the same company of his United brothers and sisters. Every bit of preparation that Victor and I worked for was used against the claim. Life insurance was deducted. My full pension was deducted from the award. Now I will
have a double jeopardy as I will again loose my pension with no
recourse on either side.

During the last three years, my girls and I have been impacted more
than words can explain. One daughter is in counseling, the other
won't talk, and both have medical problems stemming from the loss of
their father while at the same time maintaining excellent grades in
honors and AP courses. I have stood up and been an advocate on the
steering committee of the terrorist's lawsuits, gaining information to aid our Government. I have worked with APSA to defend our cockpits. I am fundraising for the Garden of Reflection, a memorial park dedicated to all we lost on that day. I have started a flight scholarship in Victors name to continue his legacy in flight. We are doing everything that can be done to make it better for all.

I can't help but to ask myself at what point are companies allowed to
take away so much from the lives of dedicated employees and their
families? At what point does our Government step in and stop
atrocities such as this before they are allowed to irrevocably change
the lives of so many? I refuse to believe that this is the only
solution that can be reached.

The PBGC's decision to allow United Airlines to end their pensions is
just wrong. If this monumental verdict moves forward, I will be faced
with many hardships. Victor was a proud United pilot, husband, father
and friend who fought a war with terrorists. Never would he have
imagined that he would have to fight for his family's well-being with
the very company he so proudly spread his wings.

Sincerely

Ellen Saracini

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&action=m&board=7081502&tid=caib&sid=7081502&mid=92892

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. Is there a link for the origin of this statement?

This document doesn't make any sense. Do a google search on the woman's name and "pension" or "UAL," and nothing comes up.

I smell a rat.

[mcscajun]

2. Only two explanations here:

1) The letter is bogus.

2) Someone (not necessarily the OP here) has released private correspondence without the permission of the author.

I did similar searches to yours, OldLeftieLawyer, and the most recent result is a 5/29/05 news story about this widow, and nowhere in it was any dispute with, or even any mention made of, PBGC or the United pension issues.

Odd, that.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

3. It makes no sense

The idea that Mrs. Saracini's income is threatened by the UAL collapse on pensions is invalid, since her payout from the fund had to be huge, and, in exchange, I think pension rights were forfeited, but I'm not absolutely sure on that point.

It's bogus - that's my conclusion.

And, since I'm still in this mood, WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA???

There. I feel better .........

[mcscajun]

4. Ha!

:rofl:

Glad you feel better. :)

[POAS]

6. Rights to sue were forfeited NOT

pension rights. In fact, as stated in the letter above, the awards granted by the fund were offset by many factors including amounts paid by life insurance, workers compensation and pensions.

In many cases, the families recieved very little from the fund because the formula for determining their "worth" included figuring their potential lost wages and age at the time of their death. I'm sure that the amount for the Saracini's was not insignificant but I don't think that is the point, I think the unfairness of the PBGC decision and the lack of good faith of United Airlines is the point, which I feel the letter makes very well.

[babylonsister]

8. Woah! I'm just the messenger. My

husband read it at work yesterday on his financial page (he works for another airline) and told me about it; I asked him to send me the letter, so he did. As to it's veracity, I know not. Sorry.
I posted this in its entirety because it had a link, but never considered it could be bogus. It could indeed. So, mea culpa.
And yes indeedy, I hate... oh, never mind. :)

[OldLeftieLawyer]

9. See!!!!

THESE PEOPLE WHO HATE AMERICA ..........

No mea culpa necessary, in my opinion. You did a good thing, bringing to light how vile are the attempts of airlines to get out of pension plans that are rightfully the workers'. As an old airline employee myself, I find it all reprehensible, so anything that makes it public is good.

Ya done good, kid ...........

[wolfgirl]

5. Nothing on Snopes.com n/t

[Jensen]

7. I just google his name Victor Saracini

http://infohost.nmt.edu/mainpage/alumni/sept11.html

I wonder why this was not posted in www.ChangeAmerica.com this blog just started with the United Airlines Flight attendants and Joe Trippi.

I would not put it pass Glen Tilton ceo of United Airlines to take this Lady's pension from her!
UAL is not above doing this sort of thing...they have stripped the employees and retirees of many things including their pensions while the CEO buys a new place in Longboat Key Fl for 4.5 millions!

[mcscajun]

10. That's the point that I don't think anyone quibbles with...

...that what's being done to strip away pensions from the folks who worked for them all those years is totally reprehensible.

It should all be exposed and legislation passed to protect the workers.

[babylonsister]

11. Here's a link-not bogus:

http://takeitpersonally.blogspot.com/2005/06/911-pilots-widow-denied-pension-by.html