LIPS have always been friendly and responsive to deal with.

If the 'ladies' manning the desks at the Fairmont EPC could take a page out of LIPS book - then one might have a better taste in ones mouth when exiting.

f.

Long time ago I showed my accountant the financials of LIPS, he said it looked like a Ponzi Scheme...

Non-profit with "administration fees"

I'm fak'n confused... And no it's not the first time.

But just so I'm clear... Those of us who opted for the auto withdraw every month should just hang tight and see how it all unfolds?

Or do we need to find another means of payment before this upcoming paycheck?

I canceled EPC last year out of principle. What discounts I don't get with Platinum I would rather pay full price than give another dirham to EPC.

Just received EPC's letter again urging me to sign and accept discontinuation of LIPS deductions, as part of an 'audit' and to protect the club. What are they doing? What license? Are we not part of EK anymore? Shouldn't the committee ask the members for any such move before applying for a separate license? Looks like we are only been given bits and pieces here.

I received an e-mail from EPC this morning explaining why they are no longer accepting LIPS payments. It all sounds plausible but it is a shame they couldn't have told us all this in the first place rather than sending out a "you must sign this to absolve us of all responsibility" letter with no explanation. EPC have not covered themselves with glory over this.

And no, I still won't be signing.....

Do tell....

The thing about epc is, that membership must have nearly doubled since I have joined and I see no extra benefits from what must be a massive increase in revenue. Indeed, a few of my drinking spots no longer accept the thing and I am reduced to that vile company card.

It would have been so much easier (and professional!) to write an email WITH Lips.

When was the last time we received an audited financial report for OUR money? Given the large flow of funds through that account monthly I can imagine the possible "leakage" that may be occurring.

I was tempted to give these guys some slack when I felt they were working for us (as they have since inception). Now I get the feeling "King-Al" is working for himself more than the OWNERS of this club since he became chief bottle washer.

In my opinion should he have ANY self interest in ANYTHING to do with EPC he has a fiduciary responsibility to disclose it to the members of this CLUB. I have it under good authority he has not been forthcoming in his personal "associations" and "benefits" derived by way of his current position.

I didn't sign onto this membership to be a business. It was conceived to be a CLUB which provided 100% to members. Where did this change?

It is time to come clean King-Al with a general meeting to clear the air. There are too many unanswered questions and usually "where this is smoke; there is fire". Is this time different?

Where does all the money paid monthly by members actually go?

Fire Ball;

I contacted LIPS - was told in no uncertain terms that everyone remains 100% covered and that a new payment option (direct debit) would commence from April when the 3 months MOU expires.

EPC tried to squirm their way out of the MOU by sending out that ridiculous email asking LIPS members to sign a load of unsubstantiated drivel. The poor guys who thought they were doing the right thing by signing and returning, have had their salary deduction terminated.
Alan King + Mark Eadon! :ugh:

Thank you LIPS for the professional and courteous manner in which you have responded to my queries.
:ok::D

Matilda Both sides dropped the ball big time. LIPS are to blame as much as EPC for this bun fight.
LIPS were notified of the change by EPC on 24th December , yet chose not to share this information with members.......until Jan 11th and even then LIPS did not reveal that had you signed the email from EPC your deductions from salary would no longer continue ....

All this could have been avoided had LIPS communicated to members before the Jan 6th email from EPC that a 3 month agreement was in place and to ignore the email....Fellas what went wrong ???

LIPS get a grade 1 for communication skills.
I give EPC a grade 5 for a Machiavellian Performance.

http://superradnow.files.wordpress.c...eg?w=584&h=438

Speedbrake, in what way has this MOU been broken? I thought they gave their notice. How about some specifics please.

You seem to be very upset about all of this and with good reason.
So will you be running for the committtee if they have an election?

Lady Matilda et all

Questioning the professionalism and ethics of both sides is one thing. Using the actual names of those involved in a public forum is another. Please refrain or discuss specifics on the Emrats own private forum. Thanks. :ok:

Speedbrake I see you came back to edit your post and remove specific names but still didn't respond to the questions. You seem to know more than you let on but won't tell us anything, why is that?

Although you seem to be a member of the EPC, you still seem to have a very specific axe to grind, against the EPC. Please tell us what is your vested interest. I do not understand the reason for such a public attack on the EPC.

@ ima birdbrain; how do you presume to know LIPS dropped any ball? Do you have some kind of special insider info? Why LIPS should announce anything on behalf of EPC, especially given EPC bizarre and erratic behaviour in recent months, is beyond me. Please explain, :mad:.

ima birdbrain... If you're not happy with LIPS performance, instead of throwing peanuts from the gallery, perhaps you might consider volunteering your services to help protect your fellow Emirates pilots, instead of issuing, "grades" (btw... does your habit of grading mean you're a TRE?)

@ pilotday; did you know there are currently 7 Emirates pilots who were unfortunate enough to lose their medicals, who receive LIPS claim benefits every month? Those pilots might disagree with your evaluation (you can read some of their testimonials on the LIPS site).

LIPS has over Dhs 15 Million+ in the bank there to protect over 1800 LIPS Members. LIPS is paying OUT 7 Claimants x approx Dhs 27k/mo = Dhs 189k/mo. And LIPS brings IN 1800 x Dhs 395 = Dhs 711k/mo. That's a Dhs 500k/month SURPLUS going in the fund to protect you in the future. Those are audited figures.

That's not a "Ponzi' scheme at all (look it up on Wikipedia) ... LIPS is massively SUSTAINABLE and there to protect you as an EK pilot, for EK pilots alone.

If you don't wish to believe the above facts, then new EPC "sponsor" AIG TopCover (btw AIG managed their affairs in such a manner the US Govt had to bail them out) is there for you... to take your money (and take their AIG TopCover profit cut from YOUR money, and hard work, too). Good luck with that. :=

Interesting comments from various sources!

I am a simple being..money in...money out... How many claims are sustainable?

I have done my research and elected to allow the professionals take care of both my and my families future! I decided on the new Lloyd's/Caitlin offer which I am just charging to my master card monthly! Simple and underwritten by funds sufficient to support any claims!
Took approx 5 mins to sign up even though I am illiterate and illegitimate!

https://www.pilotinsureifr.ae

Not affiliated to EK or EPC.

Not managed by pilots (aka F1, EPI) we all saw how that worked out!!

Can take it with you when you move to greener pastures! Sign up any time you want!
Rant over!

Out of interest what do Emirates Pilots pay for EPC per year? I am ATC. Pm me for discretion. I personally have chosen to not renew this year as the wife gets Platinum card.

777-Up

I must agree with you, I think LIPS has the best interests of their members at heart however if one looks at it from the EPC point of view, LIPS is taking money from members "onshore" (in Dubai) for investment purposes without oversight from the Central Bank, which is a requirement to prevent the likes of EPI happening again.

They have the best intentions, but need to do it correctly, can you now see why EPC is concerned?