That's easy, and nothing to do with the job per se :)

Two simple reasons. 1) When I was starting out all I wanted in life was to see the world and fly big planes. Having now seen a ballet at the Bolshoi, walked the stairs in Hong Kong, tasted steak in Argentina, and seen a Green Flash at sunset in Hawaii, I'm done seeing the world and would rather spend time walking my dogs in the woods, and 2) I've been incredibly fortunate in love and finance having kept the same wife for 30 years, and so I fully expect to be able to earn more off my retirement 401k and my wife's 401k then I could by continuing to work past age 60. Plus it's my wife's turn to pick some travel destinations that we can get to in a paid First Class seat and hang out for a few weeks.

That's what you get if you plan ahead, enjoy what you have today, and live within your means :D

Just to keep some semblance of staying on track. My point to the OP was merely to reinforce the point made earlier. Any estimator out there today is essentially worthless when looking beyond a year or two so go with what you prefer and enjoy the ride whatever that "ride" may be!

I should be holding SYD (or the equivalent) at 64.

so, I can leave the house at 8 pm day 1 and be home by noon on day 4 twice a month and do a Hawaii or Boston 2-day to fill out my month, making 400k+. That is better than retirement for 99% of the world. The only thing missing is enjoying some kind at my local music venue.

there’s a reason why most people don’t punch out early.

Sorry I missed what you meant. Thought you were leaving WB but, you meant leaving flying all together!! Sounds like a "GREAT PLAN!"

you totally forgot to mention you have to analyze the company’s finances. Because no one knows more about corporate finances than pilots. For that matter, no expert on anything knows more than a pilot.

Not everyone lives to fly until they die. I fly to earn a paycheck and provide. I want to reach my retirement number as fast as possible so I can enjoy my life outside of work while i still have the health to do it. I don’t identify as an airline Captain. It’s a job that pays the bills. I realize that there are people who can’t understand that rationale but for them there are things like Netjets and part 91/135 after retirement.

sunvox is your seniority number in the triple digits?

He’s 2500ish seniority.

So, I got one reason. How bout punching out at age 53 to be able to ski, hike, bike, travel, and enjoy life. Some people don’t need 400k per year to live the good life!

At 53 most people have a couple of kids in college and have enjoyed at least one major career setback, but technically that’s two reasons. We may not need $400k annually, but you do need enough to live comfortably until you and your spouse are dead. To punch out at 53, one would need a pretty impressive retirement account balance.

correct - the problem is that it’s an irreversible decision. So you better be sure it works out