MF
[/ QUOTE ]Ok, so you've stated your opinion on it being "wrong" on various levels, but I have to disagree.. that's not all that needs to be said. What would be your solution to the Age 60 rule and if you had to determine when pilots would need to retire, how would you implement such a plan? You can't just say "it's wrong" and not offer up a recommended solution. What would be your solution to changing the Age 60 rule and if not by calendar year, how would you determine when a pilot retires? Remember, last thing you want to do is discriminate based on anything but performance and the Age 60 rule takes away any discriminatory actions by HR by putting all the employees in the same situation, doesn't it?
I'm pretty interested in knowing what other opinions are out there (solution wise)- humor me, it takes my mind off of other daily work activities!
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Ok Kristie, I'll offer up my opinion on the subject since it's something I think about on a regular basis.....
....you were looking for "solutions to the problem".....so here's mine, for what it's worth.
I'm definitely in favor of raising the manditory retirement limits for 121 operations. And here's why......
People are living, on average, longer llives. As such, the standard pension plans need to last longer for these individuals. Not to mention the rising costs of everything. By requiring a person to retire by age 60, you cut them out of at least 5, maybe even 10, good years of quality earning potential. With the prospects of social security looking bleak and employer-provided pension not far behind, the employee must earn a greater income, longer in order to fund their own retirement.
So, now that this portion of my diatribe is finished, here's my possible solution:
1st--the medical--in order to maintain a 1st class medical beyond 60 yrs. old, reduce the required renewnal to 3 calander mo. instead of 6.
2nd--the flightdeck--pass regulation requiring crewmembers to consist of not more than 1 pilot over the age of 60 allowed in a 2 or 3 person flightdeck crew.
3rd--recurrent training--doesn't need adjustment from the current requirements
Perhaps this is a simplistic solution, but I think it's a step in the right direction.
Now for my question (thread diversion--not --hijacking)
I'm 33, finally have all my instructor ratings, and am instructing toward my goal of an "airline job." I should have my 1000 - 1200 hours by this fall and realistically could start sending out resumes by summer (when I'll turn 34). Therefore I would have 26 years to earn my nest-egg for retirement under the current regs. So, I'm trying to figure out if it is worth my time to go 121 or pursue a career in 135.
Please correct me if I'm wrong---if I went the 121 route I can expect:
2 - 5 years as an FO for a regional carrier. (pay example XJT--5yr FO @75 hrs/mo = ~$33K/yr)
4 - 6 years as Capt. to build my turbine PIC time to make me eligible for "Major" consideration. (XJT--6yr Capt. @ 75 hrs/mo =~$53K/yr)
In these 11 years, I would have made approx. $493K
This puts me at a minimum age of 40 to a possible of 45. Gives me only 20 - 15 years in the heavies. Now, lets say I do move on to the majors and land that FO job I've been chasing for the last decade of my life.
I can expect to fly right seat for 6 - 8 years. (pay example CAL--7yr FO @72 hrs/mo. =~$97K/yr)
Leaving only another 7 - 14 yrs at Capt. (CAL--10yr Capt. @ 72 hrs/mo. =~$152K/yr.
In the 17 years calculated, a person would have made approx. $1.9 million with CAL.
Now, in the next 5yrs (over 60) a person could make another $800K - $1million approx.
NOTE--pay information provide by
Airline Pilot Central
To tie my ramble back to the original subject of AGE 60 RETIREMENT. In the last 5 yrs (over 60yrs of age) a person could make approx half of the salary earned during the previous 17 years. This would be a significant contribution to an idividuals ability to fund their retirement.
Realizing this is an "ideal" situation.....ie. furlough free, vertical movement within a single company. My question then is "Can an individual retire having made this income and paid for all of life's expenses?" I, unfortunately, have a considerable amount of student debt from flight school, undergrad, and grad school. I also realize everyone's situation is different and many factors are involved.
Any opinions from people who are in similar situations?
Whew.....I think I'm done for now.