Anthony C. Said:
"......and I'd love to compare the F/E pension, no doubt inflation proofed, to my Capts. salary with an independent airline."
As one of the Flight Engineers affected, and at 51 years of age, I can confidentially tell you that after 33 years in aviation, and 14,000 flying hours, my pension will be less than the Average National Salary. And that's considerably less than you probably receive as a Captain in an independant airline.
And how I WISH it were inflation proofed.