Anyone retiring earlier than 65?
 

I understand that they are lot of pilots retiring over the course of the next decade. These are mandatory retirements because of the 65 year.

But are they many pilots at DAL retiring earlier than that? Maybe taking precautions due to health, or due to loss of license? Or maybe done with the flying and don't want to continue anymore and just take an early break.

I am doing some research for school and wanted to ask DAL pilots, if they know someone who had to retire early or if they can shed some light on it. I couldn't find any information other than mandatory retirements.

Thanks, appreciate the info.

I think the last number I saw was that we were seeing about 30 percent greater than the mandatory number.

I've thought about it. But why retire when you just get to the point where you can do what you want to do?

Because what you do is hazardous to your health.

If you fly 60 hours a month, take 5 weeks vacation and profit sharing. It's a not a bad job.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20131113-the-supernova-inside-your-plane

http://www.businessinsider.com/most-unhealthy-jobs-in-america-2017-4/#22-tie-medical-equipment-preparers-15

And TED74, I wasn't even thinking of the radiation issue -- more of the abnormal sleep schedule that people like JamesBond have to endure with international flying.

Yes!!
 

I plan on retiring this summer while still in my mid fifties... that should be about the time I get the check for a massive inheritance coming my way. I’ve already sent out the check for the large tax bill, but I was given assurances that my inheritance is many thousands of times the worth of the taxes.
It does seem strange that I don’t remember meeting the Nigerian Prince who left me his fortune, but it’s easy to see how he felt I was such a great guy!! Take that you working slobs!! I’ll be the one in business class from here on out!!:cool:

Yes.

https://www.arizonalottery.com/~/med...go.ashx?mh=200

And buying the plane I think I want

https://www.fiddlersgreen.net/aircra...taking-off.jpg

GTFo engine

Why buy it?? Just hang out a while longer here at Big D- I hear we’re looking at adding it into our fleet to accommodate those markets slightly smaller than what the C- series will be used for.

Going early.

Just because they're 60+ doesnt always mean they're "senior" enough to do what they want to do. Some are 63+ and working their ass's off.

You need some hobbies.:D In my opinion being home is always better than being at work..I do understand that many pilots disagree with that..A lot of guys said they were going to retire early when it changed to 65 but I have seen very very few go early. Guys also said they were going to cut their monthly schedule back and not fly much instead of retiring..I only know 2 guys that are doing this.

Either Delta or ALPA published a stat saying the average retirement age has been 62.7 since the rule change.

A big chunk of those leaving early are medical.

That still needs additional context though. Mean vs median, as well as a post 60 only comparison. You have to take out all the pre 60 early outs to really get the picture people are looking for. A pilot who goes out before 60 for a medical would drive the stats down even though its not a 60/65 issue anyway.

If they are discussing retirement age someone leaving on a medical would not normally be counted.

They could be senior on something though. And working your ass off when you are 63+ has many different causes. Some self induced, some not. I will never be really senior here, but I will be able to do what I want to do when I hit 60... I think. At any rate, since we fortunately don't have a minimum hour requirement, I won't have to work my ass off. As to hobbies, I play guitar (love to get into a band of some kind) and I like to race sailboats. Not interested in golf anymore. (it sucks in Florida contrary to popular belief)

Watching Super Bowl Pre Game. They did a short interview with 90 year old Coach Bud Grant. He said you retire To something....not FROM something. I liked his perspective.

So "down for the count" LTD's are counted as "retiring" at 65?

Why would someone “leave” early for a medical? Why wouldn’t they just go on disability and “retire” at 65?

I suppose you could be talking about longterm sick guys. But don’t they stay on disability, retire at 65...........but do get removed from the seniority list after 10 years (I think)?

Denny

You gonna actually watch the game?

Yes. You???

I'd guess you are correct for the guys that go on permanent LTD prior to age 55. 10 years and then off the list. I wouldn't think it would be a big number.

They are counted by the company in how many pilots they need to hire which is the important part. They come off the list after 10 years or when they reach 65.

Naaaaah. Not interested anymore.

We got ourselves quite the sportsball game going on!

Timerlake OWNED that halftime show, too.

Glad I did NOT retire early, as is the question of this thread. Yes, I stayed up to watch the Super Bowl to the end. I am NOW going to retired for the night.

No one has answered his questioned and said yes I am retiring early..That was my point in an earlier post. Very few people are going early.

Care to share any more details? How early? Why?

Have you contacted ALPA? I'm guessing they have the data across all ALPA carriers. If you're doing research for school I would think you'd want actual data and not random anecdotes from a forum.

I know pilots closing in on 65 hoping the retirement age gets raised before they get there.

I did. Going early.

I left at 62yrs 11 mo. My wife found out about my girlfriend. Sill married. go figure

For most voluntarily leaving early doesn't make any sense. Unless you've hit that magical # (which for most people is always more, more more) or your health prohibits you from working, why would you leave? You have your best seniority with highest earning potential. Even if you don't want to work, you're likely senior enough to camp out in a category where "work" means going to the sim once a quarter and not drinking beer 6 days a month. I'm far more likely to throttle back than call it quits when I hit my early 60s.

I agree with you, but not everyone that is in their 60's is senior. If your a mid pack seniority number(perhaps a military guy that did a full career and got on at 40-50 yrs old) its not as nice as a civvy that was hired in the early to mid 20's. Those guys have it golden.

Grasshopper, you may take the pebble. Excellent logic.

That's why I said "most" and "your best seniority". It's almost like I thought about it before I typed it out.

Well it is discriminatory.