F16Driver

I was told there was 1 guy here that was 78. I can't confirm this, though.

Regardless, most of the guys here are old bastards. Reminds me of Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber,"Don't you go dying on me now"

jtf560

Most are old if you are 25. I'd guess the vast majority of guys here have another 20+ years left flying. There are some seriously old guys, but the seniority list overall is not so old. I wish most were old so I'd be able to move up faster, but I have doubts that I'll ever be able to hold CA on whatever is the best fleet 20 to 30 years from now. I'm mid 30s and I've flown with at least 10 captains younger than me in the Excel. My guess is there are at least 2 or 3 hundred pilots more senior (a little over 3 years here) and younger than me. I'll be on smaller airframes here for probably my entire career. That's fine as long as the pay and benefits remain good.

PopWash

huh? Flex didnt just do it, we had about a 2 month notice that is was going to happen. They just didnt give us the exact number until a week prior

Blueridger

Apparently there are close to 900 pilots at Netjets that are over age 60 (based on information that I am too lazy to even try to verify). I'm a little skeptical about that number and would think it would be closer to 500 but needless to say, we have a lot of old guys here.
The problem is that the vast majority of them are on the "fly til you die" program!

flhtrider

And the problem is????

Blueridger

The problem? Are you kidding me? If guys start dying on the road in hotel rooms or even in the cockpit, when their state of mind deteriorates to the point that they are more of a burden than any help, you don't think that poses a problem? I consider it a major safety issue, I have flown with some who need constant baby-sitting because they are too old to remember how to do anything correctly. I certainly know that during an emergency, they would be in over their heads....
It is even enough of a problem at NJA that the union and company are launching an aeromedical committee to help determine which pilots are fit and unfit for duty. I think that speaks volumes.
Just to clarify, I am not casting a negative light on all older pilots, but SOME just don't know when to quit.

NorthTxFlyBoy

I mostly agree with Blue. I've flown with some lately who have to make two or three trips outside at every stop because they can't remember if they've pulled the chocks or locked the fuel door for the length of time it takes to sit down and strap in. Scary.

flhtrider

Let me get this straight.

They hold a medical certificate, they have passed thier PC's, but the union and the company want to determine thier fitness for duty

I'd love to be the lawyer for that lawsuit.

cpatterson19

Blue made a very important point here. Safety is gonna become a major issue putting pressure on guys like us when the FAA steps in with medicals. Sooner or later these guys have to realize they cant fly forever. We younger guys need to move up. No offense. Frankly I have learned alot from the older and more experienced pilots but when the time comes it comes. Retire buy you a cessna and fly for the hell of it.

jppt2000

Wow,
What's an aeromedical committee?