Originally Posted by
rickair7777
I researched it rather exhaustively when 67 first reared it's head. Feel to look it up for yourself... stark contrast between between life expectancy at birth vs. life expectancy for a middle aged upper middle class professional.
You can debate the root causes all you like but the data is black and white. In addition to violence, root cause could well include the testosterone-fueled shenanigans that all young men are prone to. I certainly had a few close calls in my youth. But I don't do that chit any more.
Not only do we no longer ride liter bikes in flips-flops and board shorts, we also tend to exercise and eat right (yes I'm sure there are exceptions if you're based at DFW or MDW).
Bottom line, if you're a 40+ major airline pilot your statistical life expectancy isn't 65 + 3 years.
Yes there is a statistical difference between the average life expectancy and an individuals life expectancy in middle age, due to infant mortality, accidents, etc. The fact that the average gender gap remains constant across nations, leads me to believe that the United States overall lower life expectancy (compared to some other industrialized nations) is due to our poor health. If you doubt this go to Walmart, then go to any store in Switzerland, Japan, Germany.
The US has the highest rate of obesity, highest caloric intake, highest sugar intake, and lowest level of physical activity.
I know you really want to fly until you die, but trying to argue that the US population (and thus pilots) are as healthily as the Japanese is disingenuous.