[QUOTE=Nashmd11
The younger pilots at Airlines with FE's are really going to take a hit from this. Because the FE's are still employed by the Airlines. If I'm reading this correct. UPS has over 250 PFE's, that's alot of CA seats. Hell we have some in there mid 70's! They won't leave. [/QUOTE]


First of all, if the law is changed to 65, it doesn't effect anyone over that ("mid 70's") age, it will however, effect everyone on the seniority list in all seats. If an over-60 guy elects to retrain (and the company allows him to do so) from his currently held s/o seat, back to his previous window seat (either capt or f/o), then guys below his seniority number will be somehow effected. It's also important to remember that according to the FAA, a person is considered "current" for up to (I believe) 2 years, which means that if I've turned 60 in March of '06, then I would be current, and therefore eligible to return to my previous seat, with a simulator and check ride, up until March of '08. After that I'd have to go through training again. Theoretically anyway.

As for the PFE's at UPS, I believe that they are just that. Professional Engineers, and not pilots, I could be wrong, but traditionally, a PFE has been doing that job his entire career and wouldn't know the first thing about being a captain or f/o, for that matter.

At FedEx, there should be enough fleet additions to not hurt anyone too badly. Of course, moving back only one seniority number can be a very big deal, but usually not in growth times. That's not to say that people won't be effected, because they will. Just ask the guy who came up to me a few months ago and confronted me for "taking his line."

No, these age 60+ S/Os moved to the S/O seat without a bid because of the "regulated age", once the "regulated" age changes the reverse should be true. How has the company handled the situation in the past when a pilots's medical situation forced him out of the left seat and his medical situation was resolved at a later date? When things have changed in the past pilots have always been able the go to any position their seniority would hold.

I believe the company will do the right thing by these over 60 S/Os, sorry I'm not as confident the same will hold true for ALPA. I hope I'm wrong on that point. The EEOC may have something to say about any restriction on the age 60+ S/Os returning to either the left or right seat.

George, George, George ...

You've never given ALPA credit for doing the "right thing." Not ever! Somehow I'm just not very surprised that you are taking yet another opportunity to bash ALPA AGAIN.

Maybe you can help educate us "young 'uns" George. The current contract says that retirement age is 60. "If" the FAA raises the retirement age, why wouldn't the company have to negotiate with ALPA as to what would happen to the "grandpa pilots?"

Mark

The current CBA only refers to "a pilot's normal retirement date." I haven't found anything that specifically refers to age 60 being the normal retirement date.

Not a bash, just a concern. Now they may surprise me, so only time will tell. When the regulated age changes I expect that ALPA do all possible to make sure that these pilots that were forced out of the left or right seat because of the regulated age be returned.

Now I realize that there are a number of age bigots that have made statements against those over the age of 60 in the cockpit. They are not much different that those that opposed minorities and women.

Oh, now that people don't argree with YOUR opinion on raising the long established retirement age from 60 to 65 they're "bigots" and they "oppose minorities and women"??

TO some degree I agree with FoxH. I personnally am opposed to raising the age limit but I am also opposed to those who make blatant disrespectful comments that go beyond a disagreement on the issue. The limit will be raised. That's the reality. We ought to deal with the reality of that first. Debating all of the issues related to it is healthy.

wtf.........just like FoxH's blatant ignorant comment about those of us who might disagree with him are racists and bigots?

It's too bad that all the growth and upgrades at FedEx and UPS over the last several years can be compromised by changing this rule. Oh well. Looks like:
More time on reserve
More time as FO
More time at lower pay
More crappy schedules

Bottom line...If age 60 changes, every pilot under 60 will have to do more work to earn the same amount of money. And I have no desire to be flying anything else but a Cessna-172 with my grandson in back when I am 60!

Let him ride upfront! how's he supposed to learn?