Originally Posted by JamesBond

Because doing it solely to mitigate furloughs is a desperate, foolish and naive act. It is really moot though because the company ain't gonna offer anything of substance anyway to convince guys with a year or more left to go early. It kind of reflects back the ludicrous statement the NWA laywer made regarding 62 year olds retiring. Oh, you will get a few, but not enough to be worthwhile. To get guys to go early they are going to offer enough to outweigh flying a trip or two each month or sitting reserve for 72 hours. Ain't gonna happen. That's why the mitigation of furloughs as purpose is folly.

So answer me this. What is the target demographic for an early retirement package? The guys leaving in 6 months? a year? two years? more? I think they need to get ahead of the curve and that would be anyone with 2 years or more. I think you are in the 2 or less category, so what would it take for you to hang it up? I have 5 and not that I am in any kind of target, there is no way they would even try to get me out of here.

Bottom line, I think the whole early retirement windmill hunt is a waste of time.