FDX-open letter to age 60+
07-11-2008, 07:09 AM
#51
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: Retired
Posts: 3,717
When I'm 60, I hope I won't make life decisions simply to spite others.
Anyway, I think you're overreacting. It isn't good for your heart to get worked up over internet message boards in your later years. My point (and I don't think it's insignficant) is that FedElta should not be praised for doing something about which he had no choice.
I think it's great he took a second job in retirement. If he wants to fly for Delta or Mesa or the local FBO, fine. Let's just not pretend he's a great guy because he did so. If he could still be here on the property in the left seat, he would be.
He may be a great guy...never met him. But let's not praise him for doing something he had to do. Make sense?
Anyway, I think you're overreacting. It isn't good for your heart to get worked up over internet message boards in your later years. My point (and I don't think it's insignficant) is that FedElta should not be praised for doing something about which he had no choice.
I think it's great he took a second job in retirement. If he wants to fly for Delta or Mesa or the local FBO, fine. Let's just not pretend he's a great guy because he did so. If he could still be here on the property in the left seat, he would be.
He may be a great guy...never met him. But let's not praise him for doing something he had to do. Make sense?
First of all, thanks for your concern about my heart. It's doing fine, really, and I'm not getting worked up over anything that goes on here.
Secondly, please go back and reread my previous post, in which I used words like "unique individual" and "cool." Nowhere did I suggest that he "was a great guy", although in fairness, I may or may not know him, and he may or may not be "a great guy." My point was that not only did he leave, but that he also took the time and effort to encourage other older guys to do so. I ask you, how many others have done the same thing? Very few I would think. Besides, whereas you feel that he had no alternative, but to leave, we all know differently. He could have gone to a back seat and waited, as so many (myself included) did. But No, he elected to (as the vast majority on this board feel) "do the right thing" and retire. And yet you guys still give him sh!t. Just freak'in unbelievable.
JJ
07-11-2008, 07:25 AM
#52
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: 777 FO
Posts: 931
As for not emulating FedElta's actions, I say this to you (with no malice): Tough Sh!t. You do not have the right to demand that I do anything. First of all, I've never wanted to work for Delta, and secondly, and more importantly, I get to decide if I'll stay or go, not you. And with comments like yours, why would I want to leave, just to benefit someone like you? I'd bet that some guys are so turned off by your (and of course, others) comments, that they'll stay, just to keep you from a more rapid advancement. And by the way, just so you know, my still "being on the property" has absolutely no effect on your professional life, based on my LTD status.
JJ
JJ
07-11-2008, 07:43 AM
#53
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: MD-11 Captain
Posts: 4,304
I like this FedElta guy ... having flown for a pax carrier at one point in my career, it was nice being able to bring the wife on trips. They were truly memorable ...
Now as to JJ's, "nobody can tell me what what to do" kid-like nonsense. I view it like this. The guys who stay past age 60 (especially the ones with 25 years in!) have no identity outside of their aviation view of themselves. It's quite sad actually. No hobbies (fish? ski? read)? Nothing worthwhile to contribute back to society (volunteer at the local nursing home or coach Little League)? No church activities? Their families must not want them at home?
If you REALLY need an identity, get a job somewhere and actually use your brain (of course many of these guys have never had a non flying job and are afraid of the unknowns). Hell, volunteer at a local aviation museum ( or Civil Air Patrol) and teach all those young kids about flying in the "good old days, when they had flight engineers!" They would probably even let you wear your uniform with your Capt's stripes!
Now as to JJ's, "nobody can tell me what what to do" kid-like nonsense. I view it like this. The guys who stay past age 60 (especially the ones with 25 years in!) have no identity outside of their aviation view of themselves. It's quite sad actually. No hobbies (fish? ski? read)? Nothing worthwhile to contribute back to society (volunteer at the local nursing home or coach Little League)? No church activities? Their families must not want them at home?
If you REALLY need an identity, get a job somewhere and actually use your brain (of course many of these guys have never had a non flying job and are afraid of the unknowns). Hell, volunteer at a local aviation museum ( or Civil Air Patrol) and teach all those young kids about flying in the "good old days, when they had flight engineers!" They would probably even let you wear your uniform with your Capt's stripes!
07-11-2008, 07:59 AM
#54
With The Resistance
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Burning the Agitprop of the Apparat
Posts: 6,191
I don't like the age 65 rule, but that is the way it is now.
Any arguments about not having a life or moving over for possible furloughs are going to fall on deaf ears. Where else are these guys going to knock down that kind of money? They are rightfully in the seat they have earned and will not move until they have to, it is unrealistic to expect people to abandon their jobs because others have a sense of entitlement.
Any arguments about not having a life or moving over for possible furloughs are going to fall on deaf ears. Where else are these guys going to knock down that kind of money? They are rightfully in the seat they have earned and will not move until they have to, it is unrealistic to expect people to abandon their jobs because others have a sense of entitlement.
07-11-2008, 09:00 AM
#56
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: Row well and live...
Posts: 494
07-11-2008, 06:27 PM
#58
Living the dream!
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: MD-11 Capt
Posts: 915
07-12-2008, 01:07 AM
#59
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,068
The funny (sarcastic) thing will be when they're here on these boards as retirees who got 5 more years during the 'golden' days of the company whining because their benefits have been modified after their departure and they have no vote in how it goes down.
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