Originally Posted by
amcflyboy
This...Why the hell would I want to keep working past 65? Nevermind getting a physical, I would need to get my head examined!
Nevermind the physical? Hmmm...
All one has to do is consider what the actuarial life-expectancy is for those who continue to work beyond age 60 (let alone 65!) in the aerospace industry; it don't take a rocket scientist-type to realize the odds of surviving into one's "golden years" of retirement are abysmal!
From the study I read 3 years ago (think it was based on a 20 year look-back); those who chose to work beyond the age of 60 lost about 1 year of longevity for EACH additional year which they worked...it was about 1.8 years for each year beyond 65! Average life expectancy was roughly 70.8 years for all those contained in the scope of the study...Overall it was a fairly eye-watering read.
Study methodology was to track those receiving a defined-benefit (pension) post retirement from an aerospace job (Boeing, Northrop, Lockheed Raytheon), based on the age at retirement, and simply capture the metrics on how many years and months they continued to receive a retirement check. Study was authored by a BIG brained PHD type who specialized in workplace/actuarial analysis.
Some may argue that this isn't a "pure" methodology due to the demographics of the group being studied, however...the international travel, time zone changes, circadian rhythm disruption, and intense solar radiation exposure are thought to MORE than offset variations between those being studied and a piloting group.
Don't know about you boys...but MANY of the "over 60" crowd whom I've shared a cockpit with are in EXTREMELY poor health. 40-50 pounds overweight, numerous mobility or physical ailments, the INABILITY TO STAY AWAKE ON A 2-3 HOUR LEG! Every leg mind you?! C'mon guys, I'm all about "big picture" stuff if a guy needs a 10 minute power nap, but I've had guys do touch-and-go's on almost every leg on some trips! Not bad guys, don't get me wrong, they simply need to consider what they're doing to themselves, as well as what they're subjecting the traveling public to...truly.
The "Work until death" push has got to be stopped....
Cheers,
Horhay