mooneymite

I absolutely understand what you're saying. You make a good point.
What you describe is something that needs to be "fixed". Just drawing an imaginary line in the sand at an arbitrary age is not fixing the problem of incompetence in the cockpit.

Right now the company has found it easier to make the problem belong to the poor pilot stuck in a cockpit with Capt. (or FO) Incompetent. To put the problem back where it belongs, there has to be a consistent refusal to fly with incompetents. When the company finds pilots that can't be paired, it is the company's problem and it will get fixed because it costs money.

Bigots will complain about any pilot who happens to be over his "age threshold", but reasonable pilots will find incompetence is not age based.

Oh! I'm enjoying "retirement" every other week. When I decide to go, I won't look back, but I would very much like that to be a decision based on my performance, not bigotry.

Be well.

Jetlife

I love the “I have a medical and I pass the test so let me fly” argument. There was at least one guy at NJA that that was so far off his rocker that he needed bi-polar medication. Think bi-polar meds allow you to have a medical? Nope! Is he still terrifying his FOs with personality outbursts! Yep!

Oh and the ability to fly the same PC for 49 years, congrats! But let’s be real, a typical PC doesn’t even begin to check/test/challenge chritical decision making. You can be a half dead, hung over, mindless drone to do the same approaches to MEM that you’ve done for half your life or more.

A PC checks whether or not you can pass an ATP checkride basically, it doesn’t check your ability to think, or interact in the dynamic environment that is a week long tour at NetJets. Let’s not even pretend it does.

Honestly, you can pass a checkride with flying colors, then get out on the line and have a completel inability to load bags. How is that fair? NetJets is a butler job with flying on the side, and flying is a depressingly small portion of the job, and yet none of the 200 other requirements that a NetJets pilot must follow, are tested for ability.

727C47

Mooney , brother, I think 70 is both common sense, and fair . I’m not hating , but to equate this issue with Civil Rights is a bit over the top, you lose your audience when you go too far . Cheers out.

Jetlife

Its almost like his ability to keep logic and common sense in order, has been lost with age... If anything, watching Mooney babble on and on about how this is exactly the same as the civil rights movement, should be used as the example to absolutely institute a mandatory retirement age.

Whatmeworry

Is the 7/7 schedule available to new guys coming in? I understand its PBS based on seniority.....

727C47

Yes it is, the 52 day ( in 4 months) is currently limited to 10% of the fleets, the Union hopes to expand it.

AirBear

7/7 is the default schedule, the CC52 and CC60 can be difficult to hold, however the CC72 and CC76 are easy to hold. While in training doing IOE you're on the CC72 (average 18 days per month, +-2 days). Once IOE is complete you may be able to get 7/7 right away, or may have to wait until the next bid cycle. All depends on the needs of the company.

Jetlife

Technically the 18 day (or whatever "crew choice" equivalent is called now) is the default after 18 day training. If you do nothing after IOE, you will stay on that schedule.

AirBear

Part of the things they're doing keep attrition down is to allow 7/7 after training (IOE Complete) for those who want it. Doesn't always happen thou. This just started a few weeks ago. Very small baby steps for now, probably won't stop the race to the exit. They're going to add a duty type where you're on call at the hotel just for the purpose of getting the next day brief, no obligation for flight duty. They also shortened the drinking rule from 12 to 10 hours and will start allowing Crewmembers to take their families on ferry flights. With all the schedule changes not a reliable way to travel but it is pretty cool if you can snag a Global or Gulfstream for the wife and kids to ride on.

We just had a 18 year Captain in his mid-40's leave for a Cargo Job. Should see the latest attrition numbers in about a week.

Jetlife

7/7 has always been allowed after training. You have to request it. I was put on 7/7 right after training because I asked. If you don't do anything, you will remain on the 18 day, or 72 day whatever it is.

I guess those are nice changes but lets be real, the families on move flights is moot and useless. Give that pilot group something legit and tangible. The alcohol rule is good, but with the default rest on an overnight set to 11 hours, it will still be hard to actually enjoy it on a regular basis.