I'll tell you guys one thing, I'm glad I have decided to hangout in the Guard well past 20 years because of the industry that we have chosen for our lively-hood is in constant flux no matter where you happen to work. Am I worried about FedEx "No", Do I think I'll be furloughed, "No" Do I think that our BLG will be cut to 60/48 "No". Did I think that age 65 would pass "yes" this fast "No", can I control it "No". Do I plan on going past 60 "Not likely" since commuting sucks, and after 28 years of that I think I'll be happy to not worry about commuting any longer. Personally, if I was wealthy enough to quit today without compromising my QOL, I'd have my two weeks in already. But in the end, I will be glad to have the choice whether I stay or not to 65. Would I stay on the panel, "Heck NO!"

However, with all that said, I still think that staying past 60 is a personal choice now that the law has changed. I know it has effectively slowed my career progression, but I can't control that. I just have to set my life up the best that I can with the Guard and the Airline together. If someone is lucky enough to have both an Active duty retirement coming in for many years as well as a healthy airline pension to look forward to I say "Good On Ya!" nice job setting yourself up for the future because in the end no one especially your fellow airline pilot friend is going to look out for you after you're gone from the company.

As a profession we really need to shift our focus from each other to a system where we have more control over our careers and profession like other associations of professionals do. We need to be involved with the supply and demand of pilots more, and get that out of the hands of non-pilots types "Management/ Government". That is how we will make our lives better for all of us.

Ramble...........I know.