Originally Posted by
smoke
the earlier i can retire, the better
Then get out now! This industry should only be for pilots who love their profession enough to fly for as long as their health would allow.
Age alone must not the issue. Screen all pilots with the same standard as the age 65 pilot. A person’s age must not be the sole determination of one’s ability to safely perform the duties of an airline pilot. No one has proven that physical and mental decline can be measured by age alone. We have all observed that some people decline in their physical and mental abilities faster that others. There is the experience factor to be considered also. Everyone since the Wright Brothers has known that the more experienced pilot is the safer pilot. Though highly experienced pilots may suffer some varying amount decline in physical abilities as they age, their experience will more than compensate for any slight physical decline in performance.
I suggest that we increase the medical standards for every pilot regardless of age and make retirement a choice not an arbitrary age