December 13, 2012... Mandatory Exits begin
 

We are less than a year away from mandatory retirements kicking in again... I am looking forward to finishing my mid-career temporary involuntary retirement!

Well said Farmer!:D

Maybe I can dust off my captain's uniform?

I expect to see a group of age 70 supporters act soon.

Ha Ha I would really laugh if this wasn't true and very scary. Just wait another year.

Economics caused furloughs. Age 65 only identified those that were on the bottom of the list.

How many did Southwest lay off? Oh, that's right, 0.

Without age 65, airlines would have hired based on attrition. Then the new hires would have been furloughed due to economy.

In 5 years, if they change the retirement age to 80, then the company stops hiring, but they sure as hell don't furlough.

360 .

Let's compare apples to apples. SWA has been growing albeit more slowly these days. Mainline UAL at the time was outsourcing guppy flying to feeders. As far as age 65 having no effect... Give me a break, retirements at UAL were running 250-300 for the foreseeable future at the time of age 65 being implemented. On the low side that is 1000 pilots at this time no longer at UAL due to retirement... On the high side 1200 or more. The majority of furloughees would be back after a much shorter furlough. Many double furloughees would have never been laid off a second time... I figure 250-400 to be saved from furlough. Yes, this is about economics... Just not the principles you think.

I spoke to an Australian pilot working for ANA. In Australia, the age 65, is for international flying only. There is no age limit on domestic (for the airlines) as long as you can maintain your medical.
I sure hope that doesn't happen here.

Hi "flap"
If your UAL you should give back your bond payout if you want to fly to 65. Or, keep it and leave at 60.

I'm only a couple of hundred from the bottom, 12 years seniority. No I would not have been furloughed the SECOND time without age 65. By the way, my Bond take= $0.

Well said. On return from my first furlough. Tilton (UAL CEO) spoke to our class with Bathurst (ALPA) and happily announced they would be furloughing us a second time because of the anticipated 65 rule. We were only temporary employees. So yes were were furloughed as a direct result of the 65 rule, and yes the pilots that did stay on over 65 did get a payout presuming their retirement at 60. We got zero.

They should have also introduced a real medical. The FAA class 1 is a joke unless there is something seriously wrong with you that you cannot just lie about.

If you can't get out of your emergency exit and swim and climb unaided on to your life raft you should not be a crew member. Same for FAs as they are primarily their for your safety LOL.

Just my 2 cents.