I don't read any evil or scheming into this--its just business.

If age 60 changes--a bunch on that list could bid into a captain seat. In the meantime--until they do--SOME of those poor *)&^s got to suck up "power power pumps packs pressure..." again. I wonder if cleaning out some of those guys might be part of the timing. Are you willing to suck up another FE training cycle (and a tough one at that IMHO...harder than FLYING the jet) or just say "heck with it..." and bail.

I don't think the company hates junior pilots. I don't think the company hates senior pilots. The company hates spending a dime more than they need to (okay--that's their job!). If this scares some guys into retiring--company is happy. Old captains burn more sick and DLA than new ones. If this scares a newbie into bidding an FDA (not sure I see than logic, Daniel...but I spot you on this one...) then the company gets what they want.

What I DO see is some of those 90 guys on the DC-10 cannot hold the MD-11 MEM, but can hold the bus. If you buy our union's line that SVT won't happen as it will go senior--these guys get a free shot to another jet--although it stinks to go back to school they won't take a pay cut. On the other hand--if you DO think being at the bottom on the A300 list has some risk--you'll see some guys move to the 727 (wow!) or do ANC.

My take? No conspiracy. They just want to do this now so they can predict the holes and not have to hire one more person than they need this year. Get the "unknown" out of the way and you'll have a better glimpse at your gaps in manning. Inversing folks into SVTs is cheaper than hiring them in. Keep that in mind as you consider your position on the LOA.