This debate has been very heated so far. Understandably so, because the finances involved are quite considerable.
If you look at the issue of retirement age from a professional point of view, one could argue very well that retirement should only be based on ability to perform your duties. Quite clear.
However, within the framework of a single company / seniority list situation things might be viewed differently. Then the discussion can be rightfully viewed both professionally and industrially. Then it becomes part of the whole scope of labour agreements for that particular pilot group.
Almost like the balancing of a new contract: "who gets the most of the gains this time around?".
My view is that these discussions about mandatory retirement age can only be successfuly resolved within the framework of a single CLA, by balancing the consequences for the "angry young men" and the "old farts".
Unfortunately, due to the way the European directive on age discrimination was introduced into national law in Britain, this is no longer possible it seams.
In other countries the debate is much more an industrial one and therefore resolvable within the scope of a CLA.