Originally Posted by
rickair7777
My swag: About 60-70% could hold a medical to 67. Assuming they wanted to, vice going out or staying out on LTD.
Maybe half of those would care to do so. A lot less than half if you have to downgrade from international WB flying to stay, which is the case with current ICAO rules. That rule might change quickly if the US went to 67, since we probably account for close to half of the world's airline pilots.
I left Intl W/B at 65 in the middle of the Covid craziness, and was glad to put it all behind me. Two years later, I am more fit than I’ve been in a decade. (always ways disciplined about diet and fitness)
Got the offer from United to fly the RJ and turned it down, due to my being soured on the whole industry. Flew some 91 corp jet, part time.
I wouldn’t go back to the grind of a full time schedule again, but would do some kind of part time flying like ferries, test flights, deliveries etc. I’ll be 68 in a few months.
Once you figure out the retirement finances and get used to NOT answering to someone else’s schedule, there’s not much desire to go back. Think about how it feels at the end of a two or three week vacation.
Probably 80% of my retired friends feel the same way.