Originally Posted by
Slick111
Two thoughts:
First, I've recently flown with several captains who were months, (or weeks) away from retiring at age 65. Physically, they were fine but mentally,...… they were not sharp. The synapsis weren't firing like they should and it was obvious. These guys should be easily be able to pass a Class I physical until at least age 70, but there's no accounting for normal age-related mental decline during the exam. Plaque builds up in the brain over time and the EKG won't detect it.
Secondly, airline management is not going to support extending the mandatory retirement age as long as they can get rid of a guy at the top of the pay scale and replace him with a guy who's closer to the bottom of the pay scale. When airline management uses their money and political clout to lobby for an increase in the mandatory retirement age,...…. THAT'S when we know that their is truly a pilot shortage.
I flew with a guy who was months away from his 65th birthday and he was absolutely on top of it. Sharp as can be. In fact, he wasnt ready to give up on aviation just yet, so he took a job flying Embraer 140's for JetsuiteX. He told me hes having fun and wants to do that for maybe another couple of years, then finally quit for good.