Don't put it off, your job is on the line.

[Cobra]

How will raising the age help the PBGC? Wont it raise the amount paid out to the pilots by 50% when they retire at 65 instead of 60?

It's called tripping over dollars to pick up nickels

 

[tomgoodman]

Retirement already maxed out

How will raising the age help the PBGC? Wont it raise the amount paid out to the pilots by 50% when they retire at 65 instead of 60?

With a defined-benefit plan, a pilot who works until age 65 will draw a pension for 5 fewer years, but the checks won't be any larger than if he had retired at 60, because of recent pay cuts. The lump sum, if available, will be actuarially REDUCED. Most age-60 pilots have already seen their highest-paying years. Defined-contribution plans DO increase your benefits for continued years of work, but these dollars are in your own name, and not covered by the PBGC.

 

[Freight Dog]

I agree...your kids do deserve better. And since you are a concerned father, tell us how many times you have marched into the Chief Pilot's office and told him/her about the poor performance of the Pilot you recently flew with.

...and what was the outcome?

Tejas

I haven't marched into the CP's office. But rest assured, the more we fly with pilots over 60 and losing it, I know I won't be the only one strongly suggesting retirement to these folks.

Funny you should mention this, but I've flown with a couple of guys who were bummed about having to retire, but holy cow were they off their game whenever any kind of weather moved in. Not that they were incompetent, but they were just slow processing the information. It's just a part of aging that you refuse to accept.

Another particular captain was adamant against age 60 rule, yet he couldn't land at night to save his life.

If we are forced to fly with guys over 60 and they are anything like these couple of captains, I know more of us will speak up and strongly urge these fine folks to retire.

Oh, and for those who think this is a selfish effort, bear in mind that this merely delays upgrades for the younger crowd as we also gain 5 years, so in the end it's a wash.

Leave Age 60 alone and retire with dignity. Don't retire with a bruised ego when people tell you it's time to go because you can't hack it anymore.

 

[Huck]

More likely is the fact that you see the change as an impediment to your own upgrade to Captain and the negative effect that will have on your career earnings. You motivation is no less self-serving than those that want to see the age changed for their own benefit.

Whatever gets you through the night. But it's still having your cake and eating it too for that slice of pilots who will get 5 more years of captain pay out of this. Those before didn't get it, those after won't either - just those in the left seat when the flag drops. And those not on the property yet will just get hired 5 years later.

 

[Freight Dog]

If the safety of the flying public is really what concerns you about the potential change to age 65, maybe you should begin a letter writing campaign demanding more stringent medical standards for all pilots.

More likely is the fact that you see the change as an impediment to your own upgrade to Captain and the negative effect that will have on your career earnings. You motivation is no less self-serving than those that want to see the age changed for their own benefit.

Actually, I've done that already, and I fully agree with you that medical standards need to improve for ALL pilots, not just old guys. Not just medical, but also motor and cognitive skills of old people decline over age, and that should be included in testing as well. You'd be surprised how many wouldn't cut the mustard.

As for my own upgrade, it will come in due time. Under the present rules, I have 30 years left. If this passes, I will have 35 years left. Whooptie doo!

Refer to my post above this one for a couple of examples that made me feel that messing with age 60 rule is wrong. If anything, they need to drop it to 55.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Funny you should mention this, but I've flown with a couple of guys who were bummed about having to retire, but holy cow were they off their game whenever any kind of weather moved in. Not that they were incompetent, but they were just slow processing the information. It's just a part of aging that you refuse to accept.

Another particular captain was adamant against age 60 rule, yet he couldn't land at night to save his life.

If we are forced to fly with guys over 60 and they are anything like these couple of captains, I know more of us will speak up and strongly urge these fine folks to retire.

Geez...A pilot "off his game", another that is "slow to process information", and one that "can't land at night."...WOW...and you still haven't gone to the chief pilot? What is keeping you from doing that now?

Urging someone in the cockpit to retire is akin to telling them that their tie isn't straight. You need to have some muscle behind your message...Call your Chief pilot...give him the examples you gave us....give him the names...call him today !!! ...call him NOW !!!!!!

Tejas

 

[Freight Dog]

In this case, both of these fine gentlemen retired within a couple of months. They were turning 60.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Actually there Jacka$$, polling demonstrated through ALPA that the majority of pilots are in disfavor of a rule change. I'm sure that if one sampled the amount of texans from this poll the proportions would add up the same.

So, as a result it's not Democracy. It's business as usual. Like mentioned in a previous post it's a bunch of politicians and corrupt union officials who are more interested on the money side of this thing-not safety but, prevention of the collapse of the PBGC. You think these people really care if you or anybody else gets to fly to age 65?

OK...Oh-Kayyyy....lets not resort to name calling just because we disagree on a certain issue....certainly we are bigger than that ( I think).

Maybe the majority of ALPA pilots demonstrated that they wanted the age 60 rule to stay in place....but obviously, in Texas, they haven't taken the time to let their senators know.

You say that politicians and union officials are interested in the money side of this. OK...which politicians and which union officials? And, how much money will change hands? Will the ALPA President himself make more money from this rule change? Even after a majority of the membership has made their feeling known through some poll? How much will he make? What if he is voted out? Will he or the incoming ALPA president make that extra money?

You mention safety, but even Marion Blakey, Chief of the FAA has stated that the FAA is now officially "neutral" on this issue....is she making any money off this? If so, how much? Could she and the good (obviously) Senator from Texas and even Duane Woerth get sent to prison for getting this money?

You say that it was a majority of ALPA pilots who want to keep the age 60 rule as it is but....what about all the ALPA pilots who have been lobbying congressman and senators in face to face office visits to get this rule changed. Maybe some Article 8 charges....? Hmmmmm?

Tejas

 

[ERJFO]

Someone needs to post a genaric letter that can be e-mailed or printed and sent easily to any Senator.

 

[Phaedrus]

Uh, that's been done on two or three different threads. Multiple examples in each.

 

[SkiFishFly]

Someone needs to post a genaric letter that can be e-mailed or printed and sent easily to any Senator.

These young guys can't think for themselves and they can't write either...

 

[pipe]

These young guys can't think for themselves and they can't write either...

I'll bet you are sitting halfway across the room with your glasses on. Probably squinting a bit. Probably takes what - three or four tries to double-click on something?

Bet your kid is walking by thinking "For the love of all that's holy - maximize the screen"! Probably on a 486 with a big pile of floppies sitting nearby.

All of you with dads in their 60's know exactly what I'm talking about.

PIPE

 

[SkiFishFly]

I'll bet you are sitting halfway across the room with your glasses on. Probably squinting a bit. Probably takes what - three or four tries to double-click on something?

Bet your kid is walking by thinking "For the love of all that's holy - maximize the screen"! Probably on a 486 with a big pile of floppies sitting nearby.

All of you with dads in their 60's know exactly what I'm talking about.

PIPE

Humorous, but wrong on all counts. Better luck next time.