True. especially for the pilots that work at an airline that STILL had/has a retirement plan in place and went on an FAE formula. Especially if 1) he just recently went into the CA's seat and 2) got a new contract with higher rates. For them, it literally was a "lottery ticket". And chances are, there was a time in their career when the age 60 rule benefited them at some point. Helping them to climb the seniority list at some point. So yes, in the wake of 9/11 they literally had the time to plan for it. Many of them are STILL flying not only for the paycheck, but as had been mentioned, they "screwed up" in some fashion. Can't keep their d1ck in their pants and/or spent so much time chasing this stupid job that their wife and kids won't talk to them. Usually wife number 2 or 3, and set of kids 1 AND 2. And sadly, this job is all they really have.

For the guys that weren't so lucky, had crappy careers and were recycled at various airlines, it truly does suck. IE; Pan Am, Braniff, TWA, Eastern, etc etc etc. They really didn't have a chance to plan/recoup the losses they sustained when the company went t1ts up, only to go the bottom at another company, only to watch their pension plan terminated, etc.

Could you imagine being 40-50 years old, getting furloughed, kids are about to start college, and you're dealing with the joy of trying to start over at another airline. All in the process burning whatever savings you've accumulated to that point, if any. Being 50 years old, that eventual six figure income really isn't jack squat.

Has a legacy JS'er yesterday, it's his SIXTH airline. Hanging on on the bottom of the list on narrow body equipment. Didn't make it to the legacy till he was 40. Which means he's in his mid 50's now. He's maxed out on the pay scale. IF, IF he credits 90 hours a month for the ENTIRE year he'll barely gross 100K.