Southwest Airilnes Crosses into the Gray

[Dizel8]

"FedEx have over 60 guys on the panel who will be looking to get back to the left seat."

Didn't think about that one, but you are correct. The smartest thing FedEx could do, would probably just to pay them for whatever they could hold, but not actually train them, since if they did, it would probably incur higher cost in training events system wide.

"How about a Delta guy who took a lump sum retirement but now wants to come back?"

Well, he/she might want to, but they would go to the bottom of the list where ever they went, plus the IRS might have issues with it.

 

[Jim Smyth]

I've discussed the age 60 amendment with every CA that I've flown with over the last few months, and it has been my observation (perhaps I'll start an official poll at work!) that the majority (by an overwhelming margin) of these guys want the rule to stay in place!

Ya, right! Thats why it passes every time..........................

 

[FoxHunter]

They knew the rules when they got in this game. Change this rule and hiring/recalls will slow to a trickle for years to come. All the hiring at FedEx - gone. They have over 60 guys on the panel who will be looking to get back to the left seat. How about a Delta guy who took a lump sum retirement but now wants to come back? Have fun sorting that one out.

Turned 60? Go home, pop a few viagra, and step away from the controls.

Hey sonny boy the rules have changed in many ways, deregulation, airline failures. The over 60 guys at Fedex will be back in the left seat. I expect to drop back a few numbers. Their place will be taken by a new hire. Reading the System Chief Pilot's letter regarding the last bid their plans are based on the age 60 rule changing. Many guys approaching 60 today had their years of furlough.

How about a Delta guy with the lump sum? Hell, if you could break away from your M-TV and read the Bills you would know the answer.

 

[Chest Rockwell]

I guess it boils down to this for me. One's advancement should not be at the expense of someone else being forced out of their job by a rule that has no merit.

Geardaddy,

I would bet that another vote would pass with the same approximate margin. I believe that we have voted on this twice so far with very similiar results.

 

[FoxHunter]

"FedEx have over 60 guys on the panel who will be looking to get back to the left seat."

Didn't think about that one, but you are correct. The smartest thing FedEx could do, would probably just to pay them for whatever they could hold, but not actually train them, since if they did, it would probably incur higher cost in training events system wide.

Hell, smartest thing they could do is train them back to the left seat. The back seat they leave could be filled by a new hire, or not at all with the dwindling DC10 fleet.

 

[Dizel8]

But wouldn't that start a big (costly) training cycle? After all who the FEs bump out, would bump someones else out etc.?

 

[alaskaplt]

A general rule of thumb in this business, if your company wants it, you probably DON'T!

Another general rule of thumb. If the corporations want it the Republicans will pass it. The only problem here would be if the union decides to support it. What would be the higher priority, to give in to those corporations or to screw the unions.

 

[skykid]

Hell, if you could break away from your M-TV and read the Bills you would know the answer.

How about explaining it? That's what this forum is for.

 

[FoxHunter]

But wouldn't that start a big (costly) training cycle? After all who the FEs bump out, would bump someones else out etc.?

Not at all. FedEx is now training at 110% of capacity. Not enough Sims, Instructors etc. We are getting 7 more MD11s, 8 MD10s, 9 A300/310s by the end of March 06. Guys going back to Captain would provide some needed relief for the expanding fleets. The DC10 fleet is slowly shrinking.

 

[Big Beer Belly]

Despite all the bluster from the old geezer crowd, this bill is DOA. Congress will defer to the FAA's recommendation which is to keep age 60 retirement in place.

FoxHunter will soon be "Wheelchair Hunter"! <g>

 

[Spooky 1]

Insurance rates

I agree. It's all about GREED!!!

On another note, have any of the airlines looked into the increased insurance rates on their aircraft when pilots over 60 fly??

I know on the corporate side, our insurance rates rise dramatically from age 60 to 70. After 70, it's too cost prohibitive to allow them to fly.

Just checked with our accounting dept./CP and there is absoulutely nothing in the insurance contract that reflects on older pilots period. We have several pilots who are over 60+ and there are no penalties imposed. Perhaps you need a new insurance carrier. I cannot speak to the +70 issue. maybe for recreational pilots this would be a true statement. Can you expand on this subject and cite some actual numbers for us, say for a GV Capt.?

Somebody ought to call NetJets and let them know about this issue, so they can adjust their hiring to a lower age group.

 

[FoxHunter]

Despite all the bluster from the old geezer crowd, this bill is DOA. Congress will defer to the FAA's recommendation which is to keep age 60 retirement in place.

FoxHunter will soon be "Wheelchair Hunter"! <g>

Just like they did with TCAS.

 

[Flying Freddie]

Let me try to figure out this thread. Some of the pilots here are upset that they may have five more years to make a living for their families? What am I missing?

 

[80drvr]

Let me try to figure out this thread. Some of the pilots here are upset that they may have five more years to make a living for their families? What am I missing?

There are ~8000 furloughed pilots that will get an additional few years to watch from the sidelines if this effort succeeds.

 

[Big Beer Belly]

Let me try to figure out this thread. Some of the pilots here are upset that they may have five more years to make a living for their families? What am I missing?

Dear Confused,

Go do something worthwhile with your few remaining years before you push up the daisies! It's a sad testament that your whole ego is wrapped up in your job. Open your eyes Freddie and imagine yourself lying on your death bed wishing you had done something other than flying a tube another day.

Trust me, some young furloughed father trying to support his small children will thank you for not being greedy! You've benefitted long enough with the current rule, so gracefully slide your old wrinkled fanny out of the seat for the last time and go do something else.

Hope this clears up your confusion! <g>

BBB

 

[Flying Freddie]

Dear Belly,

I not only was one of the furloughed from 9-11, I have spent over six years of my career being one of those furloughed pilots you talk about. Next, you need to get some anger management help.

I have many years left, I was just asking a question and you showed why folks like you should not be flying at any age.

Five years helps everyone. Please see your chaplain for some direction. Thank you and have a nice evening.

 

[Jim Smyth]

Dear Confused,

Go do something worthwhile with your few remaining years before you push up the daisies! It's a sad testament that your whole ego is wrapped up in your job. Open your eyes Freddie and imagine yourself lying on your death bed wishing you had done something other than flying a tube another day.

BBB

How rude!

 

[grinder]

I saw a study many years ago on the average death age of airline pilots. Good subjects for a test since we are healthy and have frequent physicals. I don't remember the details, but the gist was that night/international flying takes many years off your life, and, as a group, "healthy" pilots on average died alarmingly young. I would think the benefits of flying a senior guy longer would be quite clear to those companies paying certain pensions, medical benefits, etc. and save them significant cash. Maybe some furloughed guy, now an actuary, could elaborate.

They would be more than happy to fly you to death. Just keep asking for it.

 

[Big Beer Belly]

Dear Belly,

I not only was one of the furloughed from 9-11, I have spent over six years of my career being one of those furloughed pilots you talk about. Next, you need to get some anger management help.

I have many years left, I was just asking a question and you showed why folks like you should not be flying at any age.

Five years helps everyone. Please see your chaplain for some direction. Thank you and have a nice evening.

Anger management? LOL! Freddie ... there's more to life than flying airplanes. I repeat that I find it sad that people like you apparently are so hung up with your job that you are blinded to this concept. To some (apparently like yourself ... based on what YOU said about your desire to work more years to earn more money) the accumulation of wealth/material possessions is the end-all of one's purpose here. I fail to see how this is an "angry "concept, but I'll accept that you find it so.

As far as religion ... well, I'm pretty sure you don't want to hear my feelings on that either. Cheer up Freddie ... often the tone of one's message is poorly relayed on a message board out of concern for brevity.

BBB

 

[NoJoy]

BBB has a few good pts. Five years only helps the few and not very many-especially at the regional level. Hopefully we will be able to vote on this and see what the majority wants....