You summed it up perfectly. The elusive final 18 months of finally holding the desired trip moved from 58 years old to 63 years old back in 2008 and likely to 65 years old with proposed legislation. I've never hid the fact I want to be top X% for my last Y years. I'm just hoping for that to begin at 65-Y, not 67-Y. I'm familiar with the variety of WB trips and you are correct, none of them really suck (except LOS).

What I'm really hoping for from this thread are the deets on the Ramen place in HND. I like Ebisoba Ichigen Shinjuku, but am up for finding a new favorite. Have you tried Udon Shin for a change of noodle? I haven't been to either since covid, so I'm hoping they are two of the survivors.

 

Let me be clear on my reasons. I want to be a WB A purely for personal satisfaction for a few years before leaving. I have more than enough to walk away right now and probably would have left during the VEOP, except:

1) I like the identity of being an international air line pilot and wan't to ring the bell as WB A before I leave.
2) It can be a fantastic part time job if you are in a category with less than atrocious staffing.
3) As a stereotypical (frugal) pilot, I like the price and convenience of jumpseat and S3 travel.

 

Unexpected Thanos

 

Which brings up a fair point. There will some for whom 67 will mean they will never be a WB A. Especially pilots hired after turning 40 (such as mil retirees), or hired nearer the end of a wave.

Not saying that changes anything (or even should) for 64 year olds, but it is a real effect.

 

What is shameful? Exactly who is doing this end around via the government? That people look after their self intrest is human nature.

I've said it before but here goes again. The vast majority of pilots are for increasing the age, it's the timing of the change that is problematic. They will support it when they hit age 62ish(and will always be in the minority due to the nature of "timing").

If you think they have their hand in your pocket, how many extra months might you have to work to make up for your "stagnation" lost wages? Maybe 3-4 months?

If it's all about ego and identity as Gunfighter lists as his #1 loss....not much I can do for that. Other than say nobody cares what you do for a job and doesn't care about the bragging rights one thinks they own.

 

Don't know.

But then again, that wasn't the point of my response.

Do people still have to take reading comprehension tests as part of the SAT?

Let me help you..... the main point was, People advocate and do what is in their best interest.....that is human nature and usually, no "right or wrong" equivalency can be imputed.

 

If there wasn't growth, I would agree. Buuuutttttttt........

 

you are still so angry... I don't get it. 😂

 

So where did I say I didn't enjoy my job? I merely have said that it does not define who I am. It's a means to an end and nothing more. Sorry Trip, been at this game far longer than you. I don't bleed delta blue anymore. That ended quite some time ago after about the 4th time the rug was pulled out from under us. Not here to besmerch your fervency for this airline, that's you. Not me.

At the end, Munger was not actively involved day to day. He sat well aside from the business end of it. Hopefully you still have a choice when you get as old as me, and Charlie

 

Age 67 will help the healthy players of Survivor Airline Edition outlast those who medical out at 65. Healthy pilots have a better shot at reaching WBA while those who don't make it (or chose not to stay) will finish one rung lower than their potential.

All this is just mental gymnastics based on "what if" scenarios. For those of us in the second quartile of seniority who will feel age 67 stagnation the most, we can take an alternative career approach. Take a 55 yo pilot for example. Rather than working 800 hours (credit 1,000 with sick and vacation) per year for the next 10 years (10,000 hours), there is the option of working 650 hours (credit 850) for 12 years netting the same 10,000 hours of pay. Take some time off now while enjoying the best health of the rest of your life rather than waiting til 65. Age 67 gives the opportunity to cram X years of work into X+2 for those disciplined enough not to chase the monthly $$.

I have every confidince that each of the 17,000 pilots on the list will figure out how to mazimize their personal benefit however that is defined.