If I had my druthers, I would retire at 60. That was my plan when I got into this career. But, as you point out, with having lost the pension (which I was counting on... stupidly perhaps) half way through my career... I need to work until 65 to make my retirement objective work. If I did have to retire before that, I would just have to go out and get another job. I can't imagine a job that I would enjoy any more than this one... so I choose to look at the bright side that I have the option to continue to work past 60 doing something I love to do.

Now, having said all that... I disagree slightly with your comment on having "a few million dollar shortfall" and insinuating that is because of the performance of the market over the past few years. That is certainly true for a lot of individuals (although I would submit it is due primarily to the loss of the pension), but it is not a given for everyone. I am quite happy with the performance of my 401k and DC Plan over the past 5 years and expect it to provide a retirement income at age 65 that will be at least equal to what I would have had with the pension and possibly superior to that.

I also MUCH prefer that the money is now in my name. That doesn't eliminate all the risk by any means, but it certainly takes away a significant risk that bit many of us in the butt. As for the government confiscating our 401k's... I think that's pretty far out there. I guess anything's possible. But if you're going to get into that kind of stuff, then maybe you should just be buying gold, guns, and ammo, storing food, building a bunker, and setting up communications with Urantia to get your grid cleansed. :eek:

RES Question: Aren't we allowed to move days around now so as to be on call more than 6 days? Have a request in that hasn't been honored. The days I'm trying to move to are "blue," but it says "WARNING-Pilot needs 24 hours rest."

I'm trying to work the last 6 days of this month, and I'm currently scheduled for RES the first 2 days of next month. What gives?

Can't do it. PBS can build your schedule that way but you can't move your x days to create a pwa or far violation. The only way you can have more than 6 days in a row is through the initial PBS award.

Question on AE results
 

What's the carrot (<) mean next to some seniority numbers?

I would have gone before 60. I fly to live not live to fly.

Back in the day, we watched Eastern and Braniff implode. Anyone who didn't understand the ramifications of those events was sticking their head in the sand. After that, I have lived and saved as if there would never be a pension. Sadly, I was proven correct. I know lots of guys my age and seniority that didn't plan this way. I'm going to be okay, but I expect to see a few in pretty dire circumstances in a few years.

Sadly, circumstances have not conspired to allow me to leave until 60. I'm still on track for 60. If you want to take up a collection, I will be happy to leave earlier.

ACL,

The growing over 60 crowd does not need your sympathy or justifications.

You're being political. You don't have to be. They have the legal right to stay and enjoy their seniority - that is the end of the discussion.

Reminds me of a 200 series law class taught by a Hah'varhd JD. She rambled on for about two weeks, asking the class what we thought about different cases ... a grand time was enjoyed by all debating our opinions. As drop day approached I finally had to ask, "hey, we're nobodies and no one gives a rat's hindquarters of our opinions outside of the class. Are we going to study how the law functions and has been interpreted, or continue to waste our time with this?"

Displaced a pre-merger pilot from his home base, as in (>) Gotcha Sucker!

really ... I think it is a reinstatement or subsequent award before completion of training on a previous displacement.

Thought better of that last post Bar, I see you already edited it. People would have thought you hated all Captains with that line about walk-arounds and maintenance write-ups...... Fan the Flames

Is this something on the SOT's dream sheet? I thought it was part of LOA 31, but just looked and it isn't. I guess I'm AFU. :D

Not at all. Just pointing out to ACL that his sympathy and justification aren't needed in this instance and goes unrequited in any event.

The Captains at Delta are very easy to be FO's for & work with. As for walk arounds, did them during my eleven years in the left seat as well and for 25+ years of owning and maintaining my own airplanes. Like to see what I'm flying. Bad weather, maintenance and charter flights make me even more curious.

In general terms, it is likely that new hires are going to come on board with a different attitude about senior guys in general. While they didn't vote for us to lose our pensions, we did vote to outsource their jobs and upgrades.