People have committed suicide over similar situations and I think we need to do a better job of policing our own and not adding to the frenzy. Throwing numbers or percentages or $'s to retrain... it will never be up to a pilot with a calculator. If anyone is feeling anxious about this I would stay off the forums and call a friend to talk it through. We are all in this together and it will be a small war story of a long career.

See what I mean![emoji3516]

When I was back at TK last summer my instructor was mentioning they had 60 737 instructors on reserve for the next day. They’ve been over staffed for awhile, according to what I heard.

very well said! I will leave it at that and not comment on where I think this is going because I don’t and no one does. But I do know we will be ok in the long run so just try and remember that. We have had many hurdles in this industry and more to come but we always make it through eventually. Hang in and we will all be ok at the end.

Thats because they ramped up instructors anticipating 62 crews a month initial training for last September, then MAX kept getting delayed for 90 day stretches. We then ramped up to hiring 100-120 a month until February MAX delay that pushed it back to September.

There has been many overtime’s everyday as of yesterday, but come April and May I’m sure they will be back again to being fat for a couple months till all of the displacement training begins. If MAX still come in September that will be more training, as the FAA is likely to require at least some sim training. Like everything right now, we will see.

Just curious, could/ would the FAA ever take an opportunity like this to reduce the retirement age, down to 63 or younger? Seems like that would save the airlines loads of money as well as afford the opportunity to park old planes

Coronavirus just might take care of that naturally.

Too soon?

Could? In theory, yes.

Chance of that happening: ZERO

Bold words. What did you think the chances of a pandemic shutting the world down would be 3 months ago?

Yes, and I stand by them. I see ZERO chance of the mandatory retirement age being changed to 63 considering the multitude of factors and bi-partisan interests that resulted in age 65.

In all seriousness, I’d love to hear your thesis why age 63 is plausible if you don’t agree.

Actually high. And by the end of January my portfolio reflected it. I’ve found that observing Warren Buffett’s actions are more valuable than listening to politician’s words. YMMV.