Most of the guys I flew with who were approaching 65 were mentally past their prime. Their either lacked confidence in their abilities or they took far too many risks, not caring about the outcome because, afterall, they've made their millions and this job is just icing on the cake for now.
One guy couldn't be bothered with going around weather because it was too much effort to coordinate with ATC, he flew through the tops of buildups and rocked the FAs in back. He even snapped at me when I would call and warn them to sit down. On one flight my daughter, who was non-revving with us, told me how people were screaming in back. He made her so scared after that flight she wouldn't step on an airplane for 6 months afterwards.
That same guy told me he advocated going below minimums when I took a Captain to the safety committee for doing just that (busting mins). His words, "You do what you have to to make it all work... blah, blah". I told him he needs to retire now with that mindset. Minimums are minimums, rules are rules. This isn't a flying club. He and I were friends but he told everyone in the base how I was disrespectful for telling him that cause he's a Captain and I wasn't at the time.
Another guy simply had no flare technique whatsoever.... he would just add a ton of power and slam it on. 3 pointer every time. Then in the taxi-in he would go on and on about how the winds screwed him up or ATC, whatever. He busted his PC and subsequently cried about it (literally). He put in his papers to retire because he knew it was time to go but the CPO refused to accept it. They just gave him more training and got him done and back on the line. The FO on that ride was PISSED because he got an unsat basically for the Captain's lacking skills. He had to get a PC every 3 months as a result. He wrote letters about the Captain's performance, or lacktherof, etc. Nobody listened. All these guys who are gumming their way into an unsafe situation, you can write them up all you want... between the company, the union and an inept FAA, nothing will happen to them.
Another guy would plow right through thunderstorms to make schedule. He would do that with other FOs. I wouldn't let him do that with me. But it makes for a long night when you have to police such ignorance. He sent more than one FA to the hospital during his career.
Another guy put up window shades (over cockpit windows) while the FAA was on the jumpseat. Telling the FAA guy: "I'm not going to sit here with the sun blasting me like that." He was 64. Are you kidding me? With the FAA in your jumpseat? He's been written up and sent for "Fitness for Duty" eval numerous times. Each time the union saved his job. That's a good thing, unions protecting us, but sometimes they go too far.
Most of these guys don't give two-shts about what their behavior will do to their FOs career. I let it be known right away that I wouldn't tolerate such sloppy airmanship so they made a wide berth when flying with me. But there are plenty of FOs who are non-confrontational, etc. and let the gummers get away with far too much. Factor in new-hires are too scared to speak up, because they have to get a pilot evaluation report completed, and you're talking a huge compromise in safety.
A lot of you say, well why didn't you write him up? Why did you sit there? I didn't sit there, I battle these guys every time they step outside SOP. But that gets exhaustive. I don't come in to work to get stressed out and fight. And the Captain is the final authority, like it or not. So it's not a safe system to just give blanket approval to fly to whatever age. I never agreed with 65 but that ship has sailed. Now they want 67, 70, etc. I wouldn't allow a 70 year old doc to operate on me, I don't care how much experience he has. Same goes for pilots.
Look, anyone can fly when it's clear and a million. Heck my non-tech oriented mother could do it. We get paid the big bucks for when the proverbial stuff hits the fan, as it did on two of my flights last week. I would've have hated to be in either of those situations with a gummer. A lot of these guys (sure not all, but a lot) simply aren't operating on all cylinders. Until we come up with a system to check all that, present system of joke medicals and PC/ line checks done by their buddies doesn't cut it, there needs to be an age limit.
Besides, the youth of America have huge employment issues. There are no jobs because nobody is retiring anymore... because we've built a selfish society propelled by consumerist greed. Got to have the latest car, gadget, boat, Ipad, Iphone, etc. So must keep working to pay for all the Chinese crap we buy.
When you turn 65. Step aside. Stop being so greedy.
That goes for all professions. Retire gracefully.
