Originally Posted by
pinseeker
Bob,
...You seem to spout off about your own opinion asking lots of questions but rarely deliver answers when you are asked a question. A little while ago you stated that a pilot should be able to fly as long as they were competent. I asked you to give me your method of measuring competence and defend how your method is not just as arbitrary as age 60. Still waiting for a reply. Dc said it well, when you quit the union you gave up part of your voice. If congress doesn't act in time for you are you going to stop paying taxes? Maybe competence could be measured by how quickly you are able to upgrade to Captian? Isn't that what companies are hiring, future Captains?
Actually, I do answer virtually all questions. The answers are in the body of the texts that I have written. However, I did consider your questions legitimate and I specifically answered almost all on 9/23:
The pilots who crossed the picket line at CAL are all ALPA members now. They were brought into the fold with no penance on their part nor any abridgement of their seniority. They were brought in for their dues dollars and now you and they are "brothers." You are on the same side. On the other hand, some longtime CAL pilots such as striker, Jim Personett, have resigned from ALPA because of its breach of ethics. Thanks for asking.
In my opinion, there should be no age restriction on flying commercially; individual competence and capability should be the rule. A change to 65 should be only temporary until the lid can come off all together. In the long run, this is healthy for our society in every way as long as people have an option in how to run their own lives.
I have been writing about the impending Age 60 train wreck at FedEx for 10 years and have always been opposed to the Rule. The ideal situation is to have the OPTION to fly to 65 just as ALPA carrier, Air Canada Jazz, is currently doing. They may retire at 55 with a penalty, 60 with no penalty, and fly to 65 if they desire to put more money in their Plans. This is the best model as it permits people to choose which option is best for them, personally, given the changes in the industry over the last 28 years. Unfortunately, we are stuck in the past and this is causing significant disunity within the profession.
ALPA's inability to deal with the retirement problem on several levels is symbolic of its general failure to perform....
Pilot competence should be measured as it is now. I do not see the need for change. Some countries already have no age limit and things seem to be working out fairly well. The medical matter is really a red herring that diverts attention from the principle of the matter:
Age discrimination.
Thank you for the opportunity to answer again.
Bob