Age limit to 70?
AoA, that's a bit harsh...
Some joined a reputable Oz-based company which, let's say, had an expected and historically consistent time to command of 10-15 years: viewed by new joiners as tolerable given the company's reputation. For a myriad of unforeseeable reasons, discussed on PPRuNe every second day, it stopped growing. 
Distracted 'Roach didn't say he wasn't a captain; just that a widebody command was a long time away. Now, I suspect you would have to agree that overseas widebody DECs are available only to those with widebody commands already. Do you imply too that a non-widebody command is somehow less prestigious? And to go overseas without that widebody command, joining the bottom of another seniority list, is a calculated gamble; but it has worked for some.
But if an aspirational pilot feels that the overseas route offers merely a 'guestimated' similar time-to-promotion, widebody or otherwise, as staying where they are then the choice is a little more complicated. Factor in the big influences in opting for that reputable Oz-based company in the first place and the decision is not hard for many to understand.
The points you've potentially missed are that:
- it is each pilot's decision to make without being judged by others,
- it is ok to want to balance life and work,
- promotion does not, in and of itself, make the wo/man, and
- slow promotion is not an indicator that a pilot "can't cut it".
Ego is a necessary thing, but not the only thing when it comes to command choices for some.
Distracted 'Roach didn't say he wasn't a captain; just that a widebody command was a long time away. Now, I suspect you would have to agree that overseas widebody DECs are available only to those with widebody commands already. Do you imply too that a non-widebody command is somehow less prestigious? And to go overseas without that widebody command, joining the bottom of another seniority list, is a calculated gamble; but it has worked for some.
But if an aspirational pilot feels that the overseas route offers merely a 'guestimated' similar time-to-promotion, widebody or otherwise, as staying where they are then the choice is a little more complicated. Factor in the big influences in opting for that reputable Oz-based company in the first place and the decision is not hard for many to understand.
The points you've potentially missed are that:
- it is each pilot's decision to make without being judged by others,
- it is ok to want to balance life and work,
- promotion does not, in and of itself, make the wo/man, and
- slow promotion is not an indicator that a pilot "can't cut it".
Ego is a necessary thing, but not the only thing when it comes to command choices for some.
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Have to say Grip Pipe, the missus was not always so delighted to have me around all the time, but the dog was! Since I have retired I have learnt to do year 7 homework, go to swimming lessons with a 14 month old, (scary) and take a granddaughter to ballet class, just me, and 30 mothers looking at me, (really scary) it crossed my mind it was easier to go into OOL on a black and windy night, then sit there like a dirty old man, but hey, thats retirement, enjoy yourself!
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From AoA
"What? 20,000 hours and not a widebody command? Either you cant cut it or you have stayed in a legacy carrier with a real slow promotion regime. If you are not prepared to move overseas for a command dont winge about your so called lack of prospects! I can guarantee there is thousands of pilots with widebody commands at less than 20k hours!"
Yes old chap, but not so many at airlines anyone would want to work for. Certainly used to be the case at the legacy carriers that you got your widebody command after 10 years (maybe 5-6000 hours) or whatever, but that doesn't happen any more because the retirement age keeps increasing...that's the whole point of the thread.
Excuse me for enjoying living in the country I was born. Travelled the world and I'm happy where I am thanks....I accepted the fact that a widebody command would be a while coming (and yes, Jetsbest is right....I have over 10 000 hours jet command time) but the point is that the goalposts are continually moving due to increasing age limits and old guys staying on.
I consider that I have a right to whinge, because that's what we do on these forums....and because when I joined the airline, I had an expectation based on a particular retirement age...as did the old guys who have had commands for 20 years. The problem is their expectations keep getting better, and mine (and my colleage's) keep getting worse. The few are benefitting, and the majority are losing...so are we whinging...HELL YES!!!
"What? 20,000 hours and not a widebody command? Either you cant cut it or you have stayed in a legacy carrier with a real slow promotion regime. If you are not prepared to move overseas for a command dont winge about your so called lack of prospects! I can guarantee there is thousands of pilots with widebody commands at less than 20k hours!"
Yes old chap, but not so many at airlines anyone would want to work for. Certainly used to be the case at the legacy carriers that you got your widebody command after 10 years (maybe 5-6000 hours) or whatever, but that doesn't happen any more because the retirement age keeps increasing...that's the whole point of the thread.
Excuse me for enjoying living in the country I was born. Travelled the world and I'm happy where I am thanks....I accepted the fact that a widebody command would be a while coming (and yes, Jetsbest is right....I have over 10 000 hours jet command time) but the point is that the goalposts are continually moving due to increasing age limits and old guys staying on.
I consider that I have a right to whinge, because that's what we do on these forums....and because when I joined the airline, I had an expectation based on a particular retirement age...as did the old guys who have had commands for 20 years. The problem is their expectations keep getting better, and mine (and my colleage's) keep getting worse. The few are benefitting, and the majority are losing...so are we whinging...HELL YES!!!
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obie/amos,
Does this mean we are not friends, or are you just trying to make me cry?
You remind me of something an old friend told me years ago....Still relevant today.
'If you start to thinking you are someone of importance try telling someone elses dog what to do!'
I would urge you to practice with your own dog first but I am afraid it may bite you....
12 indeed...Hahahaha.....I would like to see that with your temperament!!!
GB
Does this mean we are not friends, or are you just trying to make me cry?
You remind me of something an old friend told me years ago....Still relevant today.
'If you start to thinking you are someone of importance try telling someone elses dog what to do!'
I would urge you to practice with your own dog first but I am afraid it may bite you....
12 indeed...Hahahaha.....I would like to see that with your temperament!!!
GB
