My view of this affair is this:

1. The rule change is going to happen, with or without ALPA, IPA, APA, or any other airline union involvement. Pure and simple.

2. The major congressional players who, in the past, have been proponents of leaving the Age 60 rule in effect have virtually all abandoned their past position and are now promoting the passage of the rule change.

3. ALPA, which has long been an opponent of changing the Age 60 rule is now being seen as acting in an obstructionist manner.

4. Although ALPA (imho) probably still doesn't want the retirement age to change, they realize that it's better to be on the train when it leaves the station (when the rule is changed), than to be stranded at trackside when the train pulls out, for places yet unknown. At least if they were on the train, they might have the ability to influence the trains destination somewhat.

5. FedEx is now probably the largest contributor to ALPA's coffers, and as such, should and probably does carry a lot of weight with ALPA National.

6. Our MEC chairman is (I believe) the longest standing member of his peer group at ALPA National.

7. FedEx has by far the most over-60 guys still "flying", so the company will have to develop a plan as to how to deal with them, once the rule changes. Traditional wisdom says that some of these guys will be allowed to return to a window seat that their seniority allows them to hold, while others (probably those closer to the new Age 65 cutoff) will be offered passover pay. My understanding of the FAA's term "current", is that someone with less than 2 years out of a seat, is still "current" in that seat, for training purposes. Unrealistic, probably. Some degree of retraining will need to occur, and some will make it and some, probably won't. Same as the rest of the population.

8. New aircraft will continue to show up on the property, thus facilitating upgrades and transitions, although as everyone realizes, at a slightly slower rate, due in part to the rule change.

9. Guys will continue to "medical out", both over 60 guys as well as under 60 guys.

10. Yes, this is a windfall for the older guys, but not just those guys who are already over 60. We have a lot of "younger" older guys, guys who have had previous careers and have been here only a few years. They too will have the opportunity for a longer career. In fact, they might be part of the "silent minority."

1. There's plenty more, but it's time to go cut the grass. For those of you advocating leaving ALPA, Don't. You'll still have to pay dues, but you'll have no say at all in the runnings of your union. At least now, you have the right to have your voice heard. Maybe not listened to, but at least heard. I believe ALPA is doing what they must to be part of the "solution", instead of being part of the "problem."

the crusade is over..it was stated also by a duty officer that they would rather have younger healthier captains on lower payrates with less vacation than old guys on disability who will also be busting checkrides and making the schoolhouse a nightmare...

windfall????? gee..pouring coffee at 3am....yeeehaaaa

Since when has ALPA worried about being seen as obstructionist? Is ALPA obstrctionist when they lobby against the open skies agreement with the E/U?
It's their job to be obstructionist when an issues arise that will have adverse effects on its membership. The only way ALPA should change its stated policy on the age 60 rule is after the majority of its members vote for the change. For our MEC to change its position on this issue without a more accurate assessment of its membership's wishes is totally irresponsible.

For those complaining about geezer clog, here are some public school math numbers to contemplate. The excess bid for the DC-10 will be coming out soon. The plan is to excess about 150 folks out of the 10, either by those bidding off or forced off. By my guesstimate approximately 30 of those excessed will be forced to either retire or go to the back of the 727. That leaves 120 pilots that will be immediately put into the training pipe line, most likely into wide body seats. That means the 727 folks looking to move up aren't going to move up as quickly as they have. Now look ahead to the 727 reitrements and resulting excess bids and the problem is compounded by a three person acft being absorbed into a two person fleet. Oh yeah, let's throw in the age 60 thing. You can see why seat progression and hiring will be slower down the road.
History...When I was hired here my seniority was 943. Today, nearly 20 years later, it's 1022. That's because of the Tiger merger and where our group was blended into the list. Am I complaining? No, it's just one of the factors you have to deal with in an otherwise wonderful job. Historically it's taken 7 years to get to the left seat of the 727 and 10 years to get to the left seat of a widebody here at Fedex. If you're doing better than that go buy something extravagant that will put a big smile on your face.

Slightly, as in "Hitler was slightly nasty...."

And before we get all misty about those career military types (actually I quite respect them) who come here at the age of 50 and will now have a longer career, let's think about the current military guys who now get to wait 5 more years for their dream job....

How come ex-Coast Guardsmen aren't called "Coasters"?

Is it too masculine?

In a similar thought ... I'm tired of the "over 60" advocates telling me that the 'age 65" rule will benefit me also by allowing me to fly to age 65.

Hello ..... I DO NOT WANT TO FLY PAST 60 and every guy that does affects my seniority for the rest of my career!*? It's a bad deal for everyone under 60 so that guys like FoxHunter and JetJok, that have no hobbies (except this job), can try to keep their self respect.


Mark

You'll HAVE to fly to 65, if you want the same years of captain pay.....