Age 63????

[FoxHunter]

PHXFLYR,

The VC10, and later the SVC10 was a British aircraft built in the 60s. It had four engines mounted in the rear. I had quite a bit more thrust than the DC8s and 707s of the day. It could fly with a full load Nairobi to London nonstop. MAX weight was around 335,000 lbs which was about the same as the DC8 and 707.
It is probably one of the nicest flying aircraft ever built. I flew it as a F/O for East African Airways during furlough in the early 70s. The only VC10/SVC10 still flying are tankers for the RAF.

 

[asacap]

Pilotbob3,


Where did you read this age 63 thing? I can't find it anywhere.

 

[eddie]

AA717driver, if the age is raised it is no longer a personal decision. Folks won't be able to retire at 60 and receive their full retirement, thus they won't have the choice to retire at 60.

I feel for guys who need to continue working, but there is a large market for experienced pilots in the Part 135 and corporate world. I've flown with enough 59 year olds who should have already retired to be confident that this is a good law. and before anyone leaps...I've flown Part 135 with quite a few extra sharp 65-70 year old guys. If anyone can find a way to please both sides of this argument to keep safety the number one issue, I'd like to hear it.

 

[flx757]

No safety issue in this post. Just a comment that I sure as he!! don't want or plan to work past 60. In fact, I turn 50 in 14 months. I would like to retire then...or at least "retire" to a hobby job (out of aviation and full time into the music business). Then again, I wouldn't presume to tell someone who does what they should or shouldn't do with their life.

 

[mar]

Objective criteria

If anyone can find a way to please both sides of this argument to keep safety the number one issue, I'd like to hear it.

I admit, I'm gonna make this post from a "perfect world" point of view.

I think we could honestly and effectively eliminate the Age 60 rule if the medical and training communities would perform honest and objective screening and evaluation.

In other words:

Today, the so-called "flight physical" is pretty much a joke. We all know doctors who will check your pulse, take your C Note and send you on your way all in under an hour (more like 10 minutes).

Not only that, but we all like to point out that our jobs are on the line every six months or so during our recurrent checkrides, but really, how many of us are truly tested?

Even so, chronic degraded performance seen on the line may not be entirely evident in a two hour sim session.

The only way (as far as I can tell) to be fair *and* safe is to apply some serious medical evaluation *and* some serious training and checking.

I'm talking about cognitive and perceptive testing.
I'm talking about frequent line checks.
I'm talking about rigorous sim rides.

I also think the Age 60 rule has no basis in science and is largely a political phenomenon but it just might be the best thing going right now in lieu of more serious supervision.

But let's face it: The FAA (in their eyes) have bigger fish fry. Aging and fatigued pilots are not the hot topic today. Airline security is where all of their efforts will be directed. Don't expect them to embrace a honest safety issue any time soon.

 

[SWA/FO]

SWAPA was (is) very big on extending the age 60 rule. They tried to get it overturned/changed when ALPA was against it. Spending lots of our money. Maybe it will get somewhere now that big ol' ALPA is onboard.

I personally, do not care either way. I'd like to see pilotyip get into the 9 again, if he wants to.

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

Now it requires a college degree!

I will be 61 this year, this means I can go back and fly the DC-9 again.

PILOTYIP:

It's unfortunate that your company only hires college graduates at the present time. I hope you have enrolled at a local universtiy since retiring from the DC9.

I couldn't resist. I guess I'll have to buy you dinner at the Tin Lizzy.....when they reopen. Change can be brutal, but there is always the Wedge Bar.

Jeff

 

[G4G5]

Wahahaha...I forgot, somebody promised you a rose garden.

Next time just read the profile and you won't look like such an as.

PS I never said anything about a rose garden

 

[Pilotbob3]

Pilotbob3,


Where did you read this age 63 thing? I can't find it anywhere.

did not read about it yet...heard it from a captain...who was told by a union official.....

 

[BIGBROWNDC8]

Yeah right, My heart bleeds for you. You make the case for extending the age over 60 to all the hard cases and worst case senerios. I think Id be right in guessing that only a very small few fall into the category that you mentioned and most just had poor planning or simply dont have a life. Like I said before, "GET A LIFE" You want something to do, Home Depot is hiring, go tell them your story, someone there might be interested... Its all about you anyway, right...

 

[AA717driver]

Brown--I assume you fly for UPS. If you do, you are blessed to work for top pay and a good retirement. I'm happy for you. If you needed the money and had the choice of flying a couple more years of pushing nails at HD, what would you choose? Or, is that different since it's not you?

Until you've been in my shoes...TC

 

[46Driver]

Who IS that in your avatar???

 

[DrinkSweetTea]

So when its uped to 63, arent those same problems concerning pay and healthcare still going to be present? When do you draw the line?

 

[46Driver]

The problems remain, but are partially alleviated by being allowed to work longer. The fact that humans are living longer and medical care is more expensive, yet you are being forced to retire at the same age (soon without a pension) seems lost on most people. You can't go home again but must awaken to the new reality.

 

[BIGBROWNDC8]

Yeah, I know Im lucky to be at UPS. I still have a job, thats lucky, but it doesnt mean it is a walk in the park to be a night guys. The last word Id use to describe my job at UPS is "Lucky" That being said, It still doesnt change the fact that changing the age will only stand to benifit one group over another. Which is always bad... You can say that I have personal motives here, we'll so do you. I still say that for a pilot to be at a point in his/her career at age 60 and to need just a few more years to sustain them through retirment is poor planning on a pilots part. Another part of it is that alot of pilots lack the social skills to engauge in social activities with others too, hence not able to have a life away from aviation (wiggleing the stix)... I dont see why the whole industry should have to change to compensate for that.

If you want to argue that post 9/11 economic situation has made the (situation) bad for the pilots and that extending the age will help, I can certainly agree, however, what about the furloughed pilots? By extending the age over 60 will help you but it will really screw everyone below you on the senority list most of all the furloughees...

I also believe that I have certain expectations from my job. I expect that I might get furloughed one day, I expect that I might have to strike for a good contract, I expect that Ill have all kinds of ups and downs. One up is working less, making a suitable wage and retiring at the age of 60. Do I think its fair that I got started in my Civilian aviation career at the age of 40 and that some other pilot got hired at the age of 26. When Im 60 and they are 46, Im not going to expect them to change all the rules for me because I only got to spend 20 years as a "Major" pilot and they got to spend 34 and will make more money than me at the end of thier career.

Sorry we disagree, I respect everyone elses opinion, This is all about perspective.

Cya...BIGBROWNDC8