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Questions 17 thru 27 are new on March 27, 2003.

QUESTION 17:
Will any request for additional funds for URPBPA in the future consider that older retirees pension income is lower than others?
ANSWER:
We are hopeful that the initial funds we will receive from URPBPA's members, who now number more than 2100, will be sufficient to finance our efforts through the completion of the bankruptcy process. As of now, URPBPA's board of directors has not made a determination on how we will structure a request for additional funding, should the need arise. We recognize that individuals who have been retired for a longer period of time have pension income that is lower than that received by recent retirees. We will certainly take that knowledge into account when making any decisions on possible future contributions.

QUESTION 18:
Are retirement benefits for individuals who retired prior to 1981 guaranteed?
ANSWER:
The question of what retirement benefits are guaranteed by an annuity or some other manner, and for whom, is one that you need to ask the United Airlines Retirement Department. The answer may vary from individual to individual. You can contact the Retirement Department at 888-345-5184, or the United Airlines Retiree Service Center at 888-825-0188.

QUESTION 19:
I am on long term disability. Can I join URPBPA?
ANSWER:
While you are on long-term disability status you are still represented by ALPA. That being the case, URPBPA cannot represent your interests in the bankruptcy process at this time. Once you permanently retire, we would be happy to have you join as a member.

QUESTION 20:
How many retired pilots are there and how many will join URPBPA to defend of our benefits.
ANSWER:
The information we have indicates there are 5200 to 5300 retired pilots (or survivors) receiving benefits from United. We have sent letters to the approximately 5300 retirees or survivors who are on RUPA's mailing list. Of that number, more than 2100 have already joined URPBPA. We intend to approach the remaining individuals by asking those who have received our initial mailing to pass the information to other retirees or survivors they know who are not on RUPA's list or already members of URPBPA. If and when United takes action to modify or eliminate retiree and survivor benefits, we will then ask the bankruptcy court to order United to provide us with the names and addresses of all retirees or survivors receiving benefits derived from the pilot collective bargaining agreements. If that request is granted, we will then be in a position to send letters to those eligible individuals who we have not contacted previously.

QUESTION 21:
Are survivors of pilots eligible to join URPBPA?
ANSWER:
If you are continuing to receive either pension benefits or medical benefits as a survivor of a retiree, you are eligible to join URPBPA and have us represent your interests in the along with other survivors and retired pilots in the United Airlines bankruptcy case.

QUESTION 22:
Can URPBPA set up a medical plan to replaced United's plan for retirees in the event United modifies or terminates our medical benefits?
ANSWER:
We have done some initial research into the possibility of setting up a group health insurance plan for URPBPA's members in the event United modifies or eliminates our current medical benefits in the future. Since our group is relatively small, it appears that better coverage at lower rates may possibly be available through a much larger organization, such as the AARP.

QUESTION 23:
Can URPBPA negotiate with United for medical benefits for retirees with less than ten years of service?
ANSWER:
From information we have, it would seem that Contract 2000 reduced the number of years of service required to qualify for medical benefits from ten to five. If you retired under Contract 2000 we would suggest that you contact the United Benefits Service Center at 800-482-5236 and seek clarification of your medical benefits status.

If it should turn out that you do not have medical insurance coverage, URPBPA will not be able to provide you much assistance. United is under no legal obligation to negotiate with URPBPA or any other entity, including ALPA, over new benefits for retirees or their survivors once a pilot has, in fact, retired or died. In the bankruptcy process, URPBPA will be attempting to protect the promised benefits that retirees and their survivors currently have in place.

QUESTION 24:
Why is ALPA not representing the retired pilots in the bankruptcy proceedings?
ANSWER:
Under the Railway Labor Act, a labor organization is charged with the legal duty to represent only active employees of an air carrier. Consequently, ALPA only represents active pilot employees at United. As retired employees, ALPA's representation of us has ceased.

QUESTION 25:
Who founded URPBPA and how were the Officers chosen?
ANSWER:
The names of the officers and directors listed on the letterhead of our initial solicitation are the eight individuals who formed URPBPA (See also the answer to Question 4). We provided the initial funding, interviewed and retained the attorneys, and took the necessary steps to set up the nonprofit corporation. We selected the officers from among the eight of us. These individuals have had a lot of ALPA experience. They are experienced in negotiating the collective bargaining agreement that created the benefit package retirees enjoy, they are experienced in defending that agreement, and they are experienced in working with attorneys and legal issues.

In order to be able to form the nonprofit corporation, the State of Illinois required the submission of the names of the organization's officers. We could not proceed further as a nonprofit corporation to solicit members and collect the requisite dues and fees until we had been granted our charter by the State.

QUESTION 26:
Who are the attorneys representing URPBPA?
ANSWER:
The three attorneys identified on URPBPA's website are all highly experienced. Paul Julian worked with the founding members to get the nonprofit corporation established. Jack Carriglio has extensive experience in bankruptcy matters and litigation. He is the lead attorney and will be using other attorneys from his law firm to assist him as required.

QUESTION 27:
The company has proposed modifying the multiplied in the "A" plan retirement formula to 1.3%. Will this apply to current retirees?
ANSWER:
The company has proposed this reduction to ALPA for active pilots only. If approved by ALPA, the new multiplier would become effective on a prospective basis only. The company's proposal does not apply to the retirement benefits accrued by pilots who have already retired. As of this writing, the company has made no proposal to the bankruptcy court to reduce or eliminate any of the benefits for those pilots who have already retired.

However, if you have been watching what has been happening to the pilots at US Air, then you know that United could possibly attempt to reduce or eliminate benefits for pilots who have already retired. As we stated in our initial solicitation letter, URPBPA's objective is to protect the benefits the company has previously agreed to provide to pilot retirees and their survivors. We do not know what the company may ultimately propose in the bankruptcy process, but we will actively attempt to preserve our promised benefits.


QUESTION 1:
Is the United Retired Pilots Benefit Protection Association (URPBPA) a part of the Retired United Pilots Association (RUPA)?
ANSWER:
No, there is no affiliation between URPBPA and RUPA. Two of the founders of URPBPA approached RUPA in early September suggesting that RUPA undertake the defense of retiree benefits. It was quickly determined that RUPA, under its charter and tax status as a social organization, could not take on this task. The founders then decided that forming a wholly independent organization was the only available course. During the formation period RUPA has provided support to URPBPA by allowing us to enclose a letter in the September issue of the RUPA News, providing us with their mailing list so we could contact the retired pilots, and providing a link on RUPA's website to our website at www.ualpilotpension.com.

QUESTION 2:
What is URPBPA's purpose?
ANSWER
Our goals are described in the mission statement that accompanied our mailing and is available by clicking here.

QUESTION 3:
What do I have to do to join and be represented by URPBPA?
ANSWER:
In order to become a member and be represented by URPBPA, you must submit and mail a signed application along with your $135 check payable to URPBPA to the following address:

United Retired Pilots Benefit Protection Association
C/O Eugene M. Cummings, Esq.
One North Wacker Drive Suite 4130
Chicago, IL 60606

The application can be requested from Jim Krasno. Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view some documents on this web site. It can be obtained by clicking here. Please be aware that Adobe Acrobat Reader is a large file and may take a long time to download.

QUESTION 4:
I have been told that URPBPA is an organization formed by and representing younger, more recently retired pilots. Is that true?
ANSWER:
We have tried to get the widest possible representation as we formed our organization. The eight retired pilot members of URPBPA's Board of Directors include two former MEC chairmen, Roger Hall and Rick Dubinsky, two former MEC R&I committee chairmen, Jerry Terstiege and Ray Fink, a former United Airlines vice-president, Bill Rutherford, a former United Airlines flight operations director, Dennis Dillon, Jim Krasno, our technology and communication specialist, and, as URPBPA's treasurer, Gene Cummings, who served for a number of years as ALPA's member on the System Board of Adjustment, where pilot grievances are ultimately adjudicated. Gene is also an attorney whose specialty is handling other people's money through his licensing and royalty practice. The ninth member of the Board is Lisa Bentsen, the widow of a United pilot. For more information on these Board members and the attorneys retained by URPBPA, please check About URPBPA. URPBPA will be using the counsel of all of the Board members as it formulates a fair and equitable defense, to the maximum extend possible, of all retired pilots' and surviving spouses' benefits

QUESTION 5:
Before I join, I would like to ask that the remuneration of each of the officers of URPBPA be posted on the website.
ANSWER:
The letter you received from URPBPA states, "None of the officers or directors of URPBPA will receive any compensation for their involvement in this effort beyond reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses." This letter is also posted on our website at www.ualpilotpension.com. All of the officers and directors are volunteering their time and effort to protect all of our benefits.

QUESTION 6:
Will I know how URPBPA is spending my money?
ANSWER:
URPBPA, as an Illinois corporation, is required to issue annual financial statements.

QUESTION 7:
What liability for future expenses, etc., do I assume by joining URPBPA? What happens if I change my mind about being represented by URPBPA?
ANSWER:
Individuals agree to be represented by URPBPA by submitting a signed application, $25 dues and $110 for start-up costs. The Board anticipates collecting ongoing annual dues of $25 per year to cover administrative and communication costs. Any individual can withdraw their authorization for URPBPA to represent them at any time, and their membership will be promptly terminated and further financial obligations to URPBPA will cease.

QUESTION 8:
What is the risk to the various benefits I receive from United?
ANSWER:
Assessment of the risks to any of your benefits is difficult and it is impossible for anyone to project any specific outcome at this time.

QUESTION 9:
Do I receive any non-qualified pension funds?
ANSWER:
Unfortunately, URPBPA is not able to answer questions about an individual's personal situation. We suggest you request this information from the United Airlines Pension Department.

QUESTION 10:
I am receiving only qualified "A" Plan benefits. Should I join URPBPA?
ANSWER:
Again, URPBPA is not able to answer questions about an individual's personal situation. We suggest you consult experts, such as your personal financial advisor or attorney, for guidance.

QUESTION 11:
I retired effective July 1, 1981 and I have heard via the grapevine that the pensions are secure for those of us who retired under the contract in effect at that time, is that correct?
ANSWER:
This is a difficult question to answer due to the many unknowns involved. We suggest that you contact the United Airlines Pension Department to see if they can provide an answer.

QUESTION 12:
Should I retire early, or wait for my normal retirement date?
ANSWER:
When to retire is a major life decision that varies with each individual's circumstances. URPBPA is neither chartered nor equipped to provide this type of advice. We suggest you contact the United Airlines Pension Department, your ALPA representatives and consult experts, such as your personal financial advisor or attorney, for guidance.

QUESTION 13:
I have to choose Medicare supplemental coverage (Medigap) at the present time. I would like to choose the Medicare "comprehensive," but am unsure what happens if United goes down. Any thoughts?
ANSWER:
These types of decisions vary with each individual's circumstances. URPBPA is neither qualified nor equipped to provide this type of advice. We suggest you contact the United Airlines Insurance Department, your ALPA representatives and consult experts, such as your insurance agent, personal financial advisor or attorney, for guidance.

QUESTION14:
I'm not sure which post-medicare plan I am on. They deduct $135 per month.
ANSWER:
We suggest you contact the United Airlines Insurance Department for the answer to this question.

QUESTION 15:
I am on long-term disability leading to retirement. Am I retired?
ANSWER:
If you are receiving Pilots Disability Insurance and accruing "A" Plan service, then you are NOT retired. Until you retire you will not be eligible for URPBPA membership.


FAQ # 16 is a new posting on March 5, 2003

QUESTION 16:
Can I become a target for a lawsuit based upon URPBPA's activities?
ANSWER:
Regarding Potential Member Liability

Some retired United pilots who have expressed an interest in joining the United Retired Pilots Benefit Protection Association ("URPBPA") have asked whether they could become a potential target for a lawsuit based upon URPBPA's activities. As is explained below, URPBPA's general members (members other than URPBPA's directors and officers) do not face a substantial likelihood of being sued simply because of their URPBPA membership.

URPBPA is a not-for-profit corporation organized under Illinois law. In many respects, it is like the American Association of Retired Persons and other not-for-profit corporations that protect the rights of retired persons. Article 7, section 107.85 of Illinois' General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 provides that "[t]he members of a [not-for-profit] corporation shall not be personally liable for any debt or obligation of the corporation." In the unlikely event a person would file a lawsuit against the membership of URPBPA (which currently consists of approximately 1800 members and growing), this statutory section provides URPBPA's members with a strong measure of protection. Furthermore, if a lawsuit was filed against all of URPBPA's members, including its directors and officers, URPBPA has secured directors and officers insurance that could potentially provide coverage for such a lawsuit.

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