Hoot Gibson retires - comments on age 60

[satpak77]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4293785.html

 

[strega7]

The U.S. is one of four countries that disagrees with the organization's change. The others are France, Pakistan and Colombia.

That alone should be reason enough to change. Why would we be in agreement with those countries?

 

[Yuppyguppy]

Goodbye Hoot...it was time to retire and you knew it since 1959 deal with it.

 

[jetjockey#1]

I guess since the rest of the world is changing we should as well. There goes gallons, pounds, and miles, since 90% of the world uses the metric system.

ALPA members voted on a survey a couple of years ago on changing the age 60 rule, and the results were very clear, almost 7 out of 10 ALPA pilots don't want to change the rule. ALPA represents what? 40-50K pilots. The majority has spoken, and the results are in, we don't want to change the rule. Please, let's don't pull another GORE-BUSH stunt.

 

[eprops]

did not care enough to fly over the weekend

 

[satpak77]

"I'm not ready," he said.

Not for nothin', but Hoot should have "gotten his mind right" and been mentally ready for retirement since age 58. If the FAA changed the rules before he went, great, keep truckin', but being mentally and psychologically prepared is 80% of the battle, at least thats what alot of now-retired guy have told me.

He is retired from NASA as a multi-mission Shuttle pilot, now retired from SWA, as a Captain. He can't really complain, life has been good to him.

Now go live it.

 

[sandman2122]

Talk about wanting his cake and eating it too.....................

 

[skiandsurf]

Not for nothin', but Hoot should have "gotten his mind right" and been mentally ready for retirement since age 58. If the FAA changed the rules before he went, great, keep truckin', but being mentally and psychologically prepared is 80% of the battle, at least thats what alot of now-retired guy have told me.

He is retired from NASA as a multi-mission Shuttle pilot, now retired from SWA, as a Captain. He can't really complain, life has been good to him.

Now go live it.

This is the same guy that was turned down by United. I guess he wasnt qualified, you know, competing against 300 hour interns and all.

He (we all) benifited from the guys turning 60 and moving on. We all know this when we get the job and start planning when we might upgrade. Now he doesnt want the next guy to upgrade.

He can always come apply to NetJets and fly till he "is ready" to retire, like many others have done. Or if its money he is after, he can become a "speaker". He can probably pull in a big amount.

 

[Tomct]

Good Luck Hoot! I hope you can learn to live with retirement!
Fly Safe!!!

 

[A350]

I am interested in knowing and finding the most information about the "large benefit packages" that airline pilots enjoy when retiring at age 60.....

Inquiring minds want to know......

A350

 

[DrewBlows]

I guess since the rest of the world is changing we should as well. There goes gallons, pounds, and miles, since 90% of the world uses the metric system.

So your argument for keeping the "age 60" rule, is if it goes away we will have to use the metric system? Uhhh, you might want rethink that argument.

 

[satpak77]

wonder what Hoot would have thought when he walked out of NASA's front door, now retired, and called (insert any airline) H.R. section and they said, "no, we won't be hiring for 3 years. Age 65 just got passed, and we have lots of bodies for now"

wonder that his stance on age 60 would have been then?

funny how that works ain't it

 

[Remington]

I am sure the Tigers would have liked to add a few innings to last night's game even though they new it would only last 9 innings when they started.

 

[Palomino]

nice career, Hoot. you were a great astronaut and airline pilot. i think your resume will allow for any flying position that you might be interested in outside of the airlines.

enjoy your retirement.

 

[flint4xx]

This comment has nothing to do with age 60...

I had the pleasure of flying a four day trip with Hoot. For a guy with those kind of bragging rights, he actually was a humble and genuine great guy. Not an ounce of pretentiousness. You would never know you were flying with an aviation legend. I consider flying with him one of the highlights of my time at Southwest so far.

 

[rickair7777]

Talk about wanting his cake and eating it too.....................

I think he already did both...

 

[sandman2122]

How about letting the "junior folks" eat some cake Hoot?

 

[Rook]

I am sure the Tigers would have liked to add a few innings to last night's game even though they new it would only last 9 innings when they started.

You just had to go there didn't you Remington:bawling:

On another note, If I had flown phantoms over Vietnam, been in one of the first F-14 squadrons, been a Topgun graduate, flown into space multiple times, and have been a Captain at a great airline, I just might want a little time off. But that's just me.

Congratulations Hoot. You've earned it!

 

[satpak77]

Hoot, congrats from all of us. Thank your for your military service and your service with NASA. Your career serves as a textbook role-model for many of us. Top Gun trophies, Shuttle commander, SWA Captain. Etc etc

With that said, you are 60, and its time to retire.

 

[sonny320]

I'm sure Hoot could get a good corporate gig or go fly for a fractional if he really needs to fly beyond 60.