How many years before a new hire can hold the mighty 400F? Rough est. OK. Thanks

Anywhere from new hire to 30 plus, depends on your situation. ANC is the base and it seems to be junior for F/O's.

Pretty much when the hiring starts again, the 400 in ANC would probably resume as the norm as a new hire...whenever this might be. With the economy and the over 60 pilots (flying until you die is the new standard and 65 is age discrimination), it could be a while.

Ha! I can see the over 65 guys saying now, I should be able to work as long as I can hold a medical cert!

Australia has no retirement age for pilots, as long as you keep your medical you're good to go - just wait, it's coming here too...

But what are the medical standards? I don't want them any stricter than they are today. It can only hurt career longevity.

I have physically heard this with my own ears and I believe the over 60 crowd is working towards this.

Roberto sends out a daily e-mail informing the troops of what's happening. What say you, Roberto?

My newsletter folded it's tent early in the year. I know of no effort to change the age beyond 65. As with the change from 60, it won't happen unless ICAO changes the age, and I know of no effort there.

Can you explain what "30 plus" means? That's sweet a new hire can go into the bird, is that because of the long commute that nobody wants to do?

Numerous things

1. cost of living
2. long commute, if you can hold a line that can be commuted
3. most lines can't be commuted
4. We don't have any 30 plus pilots, we do have over age sixty pilots who have chosen to excersise their seniorty rights and move back to a window seat who are on the 400.
5. Having winter hobbies that can be done in the dark is a good thing, great hunting and fishing in the summer but, winter is tough.