Do you believe that stat means that 36% of pilots, age 64, have underlying medical conditions that make them unable to meet the requirements of Part 67? Or, do you think it's a reflection of the CBA that gives NO credit for sick leave balances at retirement?

Let's flip it however, say 36% of age 64 pilots are unavailable, that means 64% of that group IS available. A CEO favoring replacing a pilot at the top of the list (who is a top pay scale, with maximum vacation, and all the other "maximum" labor costs for that job classification) with new guy who is at the bottom scale, and with benefits near or at the bottom of the scale can't be surprising to anyone. However, at United's own admission, they don't know where they'll get the manpower needed to execute on the marketing plan.

The get out of my seat crowd has little merit to the argument when there are unfilled Captain vacancy bids. The seats are open, but where are all the eager new guys to jump in?