When the 65 rule came about initially, you could not have 2 crewmembers over 60. It did not seem to be to much of a scheduling nightmare. I think we had to fly someone out of Canada once and a new FO in. I don't remember anybody getting stretched on a rack over it.

 

Yes. I do.

Yes. In formation, under powerlines, and down burning canyons.

How about you?

Speculation and guesswork. Professionalism at its finest. What more could one ask? In your own case, it seems, nothing.

Have you four ex-wives for whom you are currently paying? I certainly don't.

Or are you simply blathering irrelevant crap?

 

Just retire already. Tough being that much ego in the cockpit at any age.

 

No ego here: you asked questions that you can't answer. Apparently this upsets you. You shouldn't be embarrassed by your inexperience, but perhaps a bit more cautious in knowing when to shut your trap when you don't have a leg upon which to stand.

Retire? I think not. You're free to do whatever you like with your own fledgling career.

Are you one of the self-entitled that whines "get out of my way, old man, I want your job?"

You can't have it.

 

Soooo are we gonna need to install arrow chair lifts on the stairs to the airplane.

 

for JBs ego. Plane already has a cargo door. Won’t be commercially viable after that much baggage.

 

Bullsh**t.

 

It's a valid point that he's making. Here's another take or perspective for you guys out there. Some may have a bit more difficulty understanding some people's positions and/or reasoning. Or, maybe not. Remember that everyone's different and has a unique situation. NO condescending tone is intended here. So, in my career I was "late to the game" at age 38. Where I ultimately had wanted to be. While sometimes it's unfortunate with the timing of these factors. So, many of you may understand that in the 1980's and 1990's there were airline bankruptcies, furloughs and job losses. That's just life, and I've accepted it. I would have continued onto age 67, because I was enjoying myself. And, I had felt I was contributing in a positive way to my younger colleagues along the way within our company. Hopefully, I could aid or truly help in shaping the more junior crew members. What I mean here, is into what I had perceived for them to become the best functioning crew member that they could be based of my experiences (good or bad). Our company's safety culture has been ever evolving like most have. Our flight operations had to turn around. It has. I was with the largest express air transportation company in the world. That being said, I did feel as if I was slowing down in areas like cognitive abilities and some physicality's. But never getting to the point of being unsafe OR dangerous. I am NOT a "couch potato", at all. Although, being forced out at age 65, I've had a most wonderful airline piloting career as a Captain on a widebody aircraft. Will I miss it? You bet I will/am! However, NOT everything is missed about it. Isn't that normal though? The most satisfying things were flying with some great other talents, mine and their contributions in a way that resulted in NO bent metal and NO incidents while flying safely (knock on wood here!). Many thoughts crossing my mind on continuation of flying. It's NOT necessarily because it's for the big money either. In fact, I am in pretty good shape through a lot of hard work and discipline over the decades. It's more about the "like or love" of flying, or the ongoing challenges or inquisitiveness of other sectors of aviation. The lifestyle. The "use it or lose it" of your hard earned skills (cognitive, developed judgment and flying). Sometimes shifting gears is a good thing, however there is a big adjustment upon retiring. There are other interests and things I like doing. Make no mistake. Striking a good balance for an individual is key here though. Hopefully, this may shed another light on this age 67 issue. However, why just 67? I am only seeing these benefits for the pilot shortages at the Part 121 regional airlines right now. For much needed Captains. i.e. Look at SWC (Sky West Airlines - Charter, Contour Airlines) Part 135 needs for this. Maybe for the pilots still flying who haven't hit the age 65 mark yet, but are about to?

 

If you want to do something about the “pilot shortage” then you need to fix it at entry level and not at the exit level.
There may be some but very few 55-57 entry level pilots that can still put in 10 years.
So you’re extending the existing group with the highest seniority that are:

• the most expensive
• enjoying the most vacation
• bidding the lowest block hours.
• could only fly domestic (unless IACO raises)

Pointless.
If anything lower the age to hold an ATP by two years.

 

Raising the mandatory retirement age to 67 will have no bearing on the "pilot shortage," but then it isn't about a pilot shortage at all. It's about allowing those who are experienced and are willing and able, to continue working, should they choose.

Encouraging others to enter aviation is another matter completely.