Originally Posted by
Kodachrome
I just ended a 32 year career on Thursday, turned 65 and suddenly can't find my airplane keys!? Blood pressure 120/80, blood work good, still can bench 250, ride a bike for hours, but gotta take the bench.
There is no shortage of pilots, the majors won't let it happen. DAL & UAL say they will park airplanes first. I have been hearing about pilot shortages since 1980, never happened. So for all you guys that have been sitting at the regionals in the left seat for say 5+ years, you'll find that you have too much PIC time and the major carriers will just go out and recruit kids out of college.
The airline industry wants button pushers anyway, not someone with stick skills, just remember Asiana, "Sum Ting Wong"!!!
If the airlines were smart (which they obviously are not) why would they not hire an older guy (say 45) instead of one that is 30? The older guy can't sit at the top of the seniority list more than 20 years while they are stuck with the 30 yo for 35 years drawing higher wages. You can replace that 45 yo much sooner with another 1st year FO pay a lot more frequently than you can the younger 'lifer'. Just asking...