Southwest Pilots Aggressively Push Age 65

[Andy]

If it is okay for them to fly past age 60, why is it okay for them to be fired from a position for which they are qualified and capable simply for having a 60th birthday.

Fired??? From your post, I'll assume that it's a bit past happy hour in your part of the world.

 

[FoxHunter]

I sincerely hope that you aren't trying to link increased longevity with better health. I'd have to disagree; Americans are less healthy today than 50 years ago. Much of that increased longevity is due to medical advances ... medical advances where the quality of life is not a consideration.
Just take a stroll into your local hospital's ICU and take a look at how few 'DNR' orders there are, in spite of patients being hooked up to multiple lifesaving machines. To some, that's living. I place a much greater emphasis on quality of life.
And for the purposes of this discussion, we're focusing on quality of life.

You've got to be kidding Andy! When I started flying for Seaboard World we had one guy that was considered strange because he was a runner. Hotel health clubs were unheard of. It was not that unusual to fly a trip where the Captain, FE, and NAV all smoked. We even had it in the FOM that smoking was permited on the ground if in the cockpit.:crying:

 

[Andy]

You've got to be kidding Andy! When I started flying for Seaboard World we had one guy that was considered strange because he was a runner. Hotel health clubs were unheard of. It was not that unusual to fly a trip where the Captain, FE, and NAV all smoked. We even had it in the FOM that smoking was permited on the ground if in the cockpit.:crying:

What percentage of the population exercises regularly? What is the obesity rate today vice historical levels? How many times a week does the average American eat fast food?
While there are less smokers today, much of that is offset by other unhealthy habits. A few of us exercise regularly; we are in the minority.
Tell ya what; I post quite a few links, how about you find those answers and post the links? You have a tendency to 'shoot from the hip' with zero supporting documentation.

 

[vetrider]

What percentage of the population exercises regularly? What is the obesity rate today vice historical levels? How many times a week does the average American eat fast food?
While there are less smokers today, much of that is offset by other unhealthy habits. A few of us exercise regularly; we are in the minority.
Tell ya what; I post quite a few links, how about you find those answers and post the links? You have a tendency to 'shoot from the hip' with zero supporting documentation.

You gotta love all these guys, they all have a mythical story about some 200 year old marathon runner. The only example I haven't seen thrown out there yet is the 67 year old porn star who still lasts all day.

 

[SWA/FO]

You gotta love all these guys, they all have a story about some 200 year old marathon runner. The only example I haven't seen thrown out there yet is the 67 year old porn star who still lasts all day.

Of course she does.... when she gets tired she just lays there. "oh baby...more"

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Since you guys want this so much, can you explain the scheduling ramifications of this?

767 FO an additional five years!!

Actually....he doesn't have to explain the scheduling ramifications of all this.

Thats a job for your own Association representatives once the age change is in place. You guys work it out with your airline scheduling department....we'll work it out with ours.

BTW....what makes you think you'll be an F/O for an additional 5 years when this law changes? A solid business plan that includes growth, cost control and productivity is what will keep you from being an F/O for an additional 5 years.

...Unless you have absolutely no confidence in your management's business plan....then the question is...why are you still there?

Tejas

 

[Flopgut]

Floppy,

You're right. The same government who maintains age 60 has increased the official government retirement standard to age 67 and beyond. Do you know what they use to justify that? Updated actuarial data that reflect increased longevity.

Ok, so....

Discriminate against Captain Bozo: Bad!

Discriminate against Floppy: Great!

 

[Tejas-Jet]

and not hose the rest of us with this stupid fly to you die rule.

OK...tell ya what...when the rule changes, you negotiate to have your contract maintain the Age 60 retirement. That way, you can keep it exactly as you want it.

See...problem solved...now you won't get hosed...

Tejas

 

[Tejas-Jet]

On second thought, let's just throw out ALL age restrictions on retirement. I want everyone in favor of increasing the age limitations the opportunity to converse with a 70 year old FAA controller; perhaps be pulled from a burning building by a 75 year old firefighter. I see no reason why cops can't be on the job unitl they're 80+. I would especially like to have an Air Marshall on board my aircraft with a loaded weapon who's 65 years old. It's all just age discrimination, right? Let's open up that Pandora's box and find out what's inside.

Andy....let the controllers worry about the controllers...let the firefighters worry about the firefighters....let the police unions worry about the retirement age of the police...and let the Air Marshalls worry about the Air Marshalls...

If you are so strongly against this....tell us what you are doing about the pilots on your property who are continuing to lobby Congress on this issue.

Tejas

 

[Flopgut]

I expect by the time you reach age 65 there will be no age limit. Some people will retire at age 60 and some at age 70, depending on the individual.:beer:

Ok, so I should expect this rule to change incrementally, to my seniority detriment, until I leave at 60? And that's supposed to be Allright?

Have you even considered for a moment what this business will look like with no age limilt? Will airlines only hire when someone leaves medically unfit? What are we going to do when everybody is over 60 (or 65) and can still pass a medical? You haven't thought about that I'm sure, your looking no further than your own bank account.