OAC_Sparky

I'm not trying to belittle the fact that you reinvested your money in Ford, please don't take it as such. My father retired from 30 years at Ford (and died a few years after), and my father-in-law had 38 in when he retired at 59, and died 6 months after. Chances are that their legacy cost are also next to nothing. It's a shame. As others have stated here, if I had faith in those people who really have the power to improve things, a stock benefit would indeed be attractive. But at present, based on their track record, "a bird in hand is worth two in the bush".

As far as what is outside your Ford Pension, be it Ford Stock or Willie's Wooden Widget Works stock, is neither here nor there, we all choose to invest in what we believe will bring us income, has no bearing on what you get from Ford now, other than you made good enough money while you were working to invest. We all hope to have the same opportunity. Unless you paid out your pension at retirement, you "pension" IS a legacy cost, seeing that the pension "fund" is only funded at a fraction of its actual long-term obligation. Workers today create the products which in turn fund the pension you now enjoy. Jsst as when you worked you paid for those before you. We only hope that there will be a Ford to fund my retirement. As far as your Medicare is concerned (in the US), I cannot coment, as in Canada, "Medicare" is part of our health system from start to end. Our benefits coverage consist of drug, dental, vision, etc. not primary health costs.

Yep. "As soon as you idiotproof something, the idiots will become craftier." ___Page #1, The Practical Trademan's Handbook.

If it is such a great idea, would you be willing to take Ford stock in lieu of a Pension? Easy to suggest it now that less of us are at work to support legacy costs (read: your pension).

Ford's failing is not new news, Toyota's is. Which is why it's being brought up. You sound worried.

Does the icon by the eBrake have the "slippery when wet" icon or a "spinning tire" icon?

Ford Markets its Advance Trac Stability Control system as Anti-Rollover protection. That's why it's not offered on any CARS that I am aware of, only SUVs Trucks and Vans. Not even the $150G GT. http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/explorer/

Naw, we're just getting old. :blink:

Because my birthday was in February, I started school I was one of the youngest in my class. I skipped grade 5, went from 4 to 6. I had started High School at 13. Because we were semestered, I finished in the Fall Semester before my birthday in February. (You needed 27 Credits for Grade 12, 8 a year for 3 years plus 4 in the first Semester of Grade 12=28. I was taking Grade 13 courses in Grade 12. For those in the US, that is like University Prelim) The point I was making was that it is possible. The rules are different now, you need to be 18 to start at Ford.

"Stablity Control" is a nice way of saying "rollover control". It is necessary on tall vehicles with a high center of gravity, not on most cars. I can pull a .84g hard turn on stock tires without tipping, which is when the traction control kicks in. And that slows the car down. (The .84 lateral g comes from the G-meter you can see mounted on the A-Pillar (top guage). That's stock tires, stock springs on an ST on dry pavement. The TC kicks in sooner on wet, icy or snowy pavement.). Point is, if you're pulling more than that, you should reconsider your driving style. Because Stability Control won't help you at that point.

It would be strange for that many valve stems to blow out on one vehicle. It would seem strange that the spare was flat as well. Almost too coincidental. That number of tire problems I could see scattered over a few dozen vehicles, if say there was a problem with incoming stock, but all on one vehicle is "suspicious". An OASIS report would shed some light as to why it was denied, hence I need the VIN. That would be the first step into getting any type of resolution, is to find out the grounds for denying the claim. With all the previous flap with Firestone/Explorer tires, I find it hard to believe that any dealership AND the plant be dismissive about the issue without just case. But we shall see.

The tires and rims and stems are assembled at the plant. PM me your VIN and I'll look into this.

:lol:

That's only when you're around, and is only to keep you out. :blink:

?? My '05 Focus has Traction Control.

Meh, everyone's a critic. But you're still #1 with me, Buddy. :lol:

I was 16 when I graduated High School. Not everyone spends 3 years in Grade 1, you know.

I agree -- BUT -- is the short term gain worth long term suffering? I'm more or less playing Devil's Advocate here. Is it possible that were the Freestar line get canned early, that its replacement might come to Oakville sooner? Take a pic of a CD3 Aviator/Edge, stretch it taller, and whatcha got? Aviator: Minivan? It's just a quick hack, but if you notice I did absolutely ZERO to the underbody/front structure -- meaning it should fit on all the Aviator/Edge dimensional carrier tooling. Although in an ideal situation the Freestar would keep us working, the longer it suffers this slow lingering death the more it drags us down in terms on consumer and shareholder confidence. Like I said....Devil's Advocate.

As much as you (and I) would like to see everyone working, I think we are setting a bad precedence. Not that it will likely affect trades guys, but that's what I think. We are becoming a workforce of casual labour. And the Canadian taxpayers will only tolerate footing the bill for Ford's incompetence for so long.

I dunno, Robert; where's your Penguin?

Ummm, maybe your wedding day and birthday? Just a guess. Thanks for visiting www.markgatzlikesitintheass.com 550 hits so far, keep them coming :lol:

'Tis sad that you missed the nuptuals, 'twas a nice summer wedding. Both looked stunning in their matching Calvin Klein tuxedos, on a hot summer Long Island afternoon in Mark Gatz's back yard. It will be a day that Gerald Schreiber will cherish forever. Afterwards, on their honeymoon Gerald and Mark made the Parade circuit, visiting areas in NY, Montreal, and San Francisco. It was hard for them to make it more than a few miles without a break. Of course, it was back to normal after the honeymoon. But they were always there for each other, even when Mark spends long days on the picket line. A relationship we all truly admire. Bravo.