That's one of the funniest things I've read on this board!! Or you could have said,

"Friends don't let friends fly till they die... But for you, I'll make an exception."


But in all seriousness.... Anyone's crystal ball showing the Final Bid award on Monday being any different than the previous practice awards, ie significant numbers of people chickening out of the Right seat 757 or pulling their bid to wait for the excess?


TSD

 

I bet the 757 stays the Geriatric Jet....

Past.....

 

I don't see how the company can man the entire jet with over 60. If you were the one guy under 60 you are going to have to fly to Canada and Mexico every day of the month.

 

You mean they would have to BMP me off my trip and DFT me for another (almost every day!)? DEAL!!!!

 

I don't want to give away too much info, but I had the chance to help one of our over 60 guys prep for a new start at another Legacy airline last month. Got word he was successful.

I can understand why this guy would want to continue his career...heck...now his WIFE can go on a trip or two non-rev...something he could never have her do at FDX. I think he'll have a blast. (Hey...maybe I can talk ALL those FDX over 60 guys into interviewing at Legacies!)

Seriously though....as a I guy stuck on the Boeing for a long time to come, and a guy who is going to lose a LOT of business when hiring slows (and it is slowing...) I am going to suffer as the law changes the industry. HOWEVER...and this is a big deal...as a guy who had a tumor ripped out of his spine at age 40 by a neurosurgeon and got to take another trip through surgery again 2 years later...I am not going to sit around with the "I hope you die" or "I hope you medical out..." vibes I am hearing here. I got pretty darn lucky a few years ago...and feel pretty blessed. Every day flying is a gift. I have a hunch we will lose a lot of guys along the way...simply because age and travel have a way of knocking you back at times. But...I have a feeling sitting around stewing on negative thoughts might come back full circle...kharma's a b1tch.

On the other hand--if any of you fine old gentlemen are interested in starting over somewhere else...call me...I'll help you all I can.

 

Albie, are saying one of our over 60 guys got hired recently bu a legacy? Never thought that would happen. A whole five year max career at another airline.

 

Heard about a MD-11 guy recently, who took his retirement and went to Emerates on a contract with a very nice pay and benefits package. What a concept! So, Albie, if this is a secret, sorry, but what kind of opportunities are there with Emerates, Qatar, Gulf Air, etc.

 

Yes. Delta. With an Airtran offer as a backup. And he isn't the only one getting called...

Look at it from the Legacy's perspective: Tons of experience for pennies on the dollar. A five year career that won't make out the pay scale. Someone almost automatically guaranteed to get through training. The only caution is attitude...can this guy make starting over without being too bored, too domineering, or otherwise a pain to fly with. As long as he/she has a pliant enough personality, I see a few of those guys getting a shot somewhere else. Netjets has had success for years with them....now at least SWA and DAL are giving a few a shot. At SWA, however, they are internal and not off the street...

 

Lots at Emirates and Qatar, as well as JALways. Don't know if Cathay is looking at that demographic or not. For years, Singapore Air hired street captains, but haven't seen them advertise for years. Emirates is probably the biggest hiring source right now. If you want some straight skinny on them..."Typhoon Pilot" is a good source and is on the boards at PPW and perhaps FI. Another good souce is prune.org, an international forum similar to this one.

 

I just spent 4 days in Almaty and ran into a retired Delta and a retired NW guy flying for Air Astana. Both guys retired early. They told me they are doing the contract thing and that they are bringing in quite a few Ex-pats. They said they get a pretty good deal and you get to live Almaty, what a deal!