Dr. Michael DeBakey, the world famous heart surgeon, was still doing surgeries in his late 90s. Still developing new techniques.

He developed the MASH unit in WWII, invented the heart lung machine, and did the first successful heart bypass surgery.

Yes, a unique case. The Heart Institute at Methodist Hospital in Houston is named for him.

Yeah, but can he text 60wpm on his Facebook page, while driving down the interstate. I know, I know, he wouldn’t...but jus sayin dude.

Truth about doctors, age and experience.

“ Most studies found that health care quality decreased as doctor experience or age increased. Doctors who were older or who had been in practice longer seemed to be less current with recent medical advances and also followed standards of care less closely. Several studies also suggested that patients of older doctors experienced worse outcomes.”

...” Existing research suggests that doctors who are older or who have been in practice longer may provide lower-quality health care. However, these findings do not apply to all older doctors and must be confirmed by more specific research. This review should provoke careful study of the relationship of physician experience and the quality of care.”

https://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/7...-better-doctor

Yes there are always exceptions, but the general rule is older is not better or even equal.

BTW the debate isn’t totally about what age is proper to remove pilots from the cockpit. The real debate is how to decide when a pilot is unfit to fly. That would require more strenuous checks, continued education and possibly mental and cognitive evaluations. It’s just easier to set an arbitrary age.

“I agree with what you say but I’m offended by how you say it.” So by the transitive property of agreement, you’re a millennial snowflake.

I’ll bet some of those “whippersnappers” that have been stagnated at the regionals for the last 10+ years can hand fly circles around you.

What is it they say? “Whatever boomer.”

Does anyone know if I can collect Social Security at the same time as Long Term Disability? A retirement age extension only means LTD to me - consider it the 'new' pilot pension.
One only has a finite shelf life before they expire. And the last few years prior to expiry are usually marked with reduced mobility and health complications.

Personally, I want to spend a decent chunk of my kids' inheritance before I check out. I don't want to grow it by spending some precious years working. If one doesn't have a decent chunk of money saved by 65, I guarantee that they won't after any age increase. You can't fix spendthrifts by increasing retirement age.

I must be getting old and senile because I'm not seeing any indication out there that ICAO is pushing for further age increases...

You may be getting old and senile, but no more than the rest of us. The push is on boards like this. APC is just for sport and not to be taken seriously. The only talk that I have heard about changing the age is from people pushing 65 who get their identity from this job and leave 1,000 hours in their sick bank because they just love to fly. The only thing I found online is an opinion piece or two about how it could kick the pilot shortage down the road a year or two.

yes but your LTD policy likely has a Social Security offset (so in practical terms, maybe)

To answer your question, he was 51 years old.

BTW, I believe the second officer, who had the only fuel gauges on the flight deck right at eye level, was 20 something..


None of the crew were over 65.

I think you’ll have a hard time finding anyone in command of a 121 flight accident in the last 10 years who was over 60.

Theres no doubt that some of them probably could just like some of those 60+ types could do the same when compared to you. Wasn’t offended one bit but had to laugh at your very misleading statements. Age should stay at 65 and never should have been changed from 60 in the first place.

Unfortunately the 51 year old would not listen to either the 20 something or the 30 something next to him. (don't really think it was age related, but certainly was on the Captain)

And thus CLR was born!!