Nicholas49

I'm conscious that this is probably a sensitive question, but could someone explain the rationale behind the retirement age for BA pilots being 55 while at other carriers (easyJet for example) it is 65?

I do not intend to open a 'terms and conditions'-style debate about how BA pilots have it better, I am simply curious to understand the reason for the discrepancy. Has it always been 55? It seems a bit strange to have to retire when presumably most pilots at that age are at the peak of their career and have an optimum experience level? Or have you had enough of flying by then?! I do appreciate that many then go to work for other airlines with less stringent age restrictions.

Thanks for your help.

Nick

Banzai Eagle

N49
Don't know if it's the answer but Europe has only just gone to 65 from 60 a few years ago. The French took some time to move and many Pilots had to retire at 60 because of this (as for example in the UK flights overflew France)
I might be wrong but the 55 rule at BA may have gone up a few years?.
I think the answer to your question is at BA Pilots can afford to retire at 55 (being a heavily Unionised Company rules are also rules so they have no choice but to retire). Most other Airlines in the UK with perhaps the exception of Britannia (Thomson) and Monarch who have fairly good pension schemes, Pilots will soldier on until 60, and a few will go to 65 depending on how many ex wifes they have.
Many BA pilots who retire at 55 go onto other Airlines be it in the UK or Middle / Far East. I have known quiet a few and they are top notch guys / pilots

JEM60

I am pretty certain that retirement age was raised to 60 some time ago, but I may be wrong.

ETOPS

Nicholas49

From the horse's mouth (so to speak) - the maximum retirement age in BA is now 65. That is the point at which your CAA licence ceases. However the pension scheme allows for retirement at any time and most of us have ticked the "60" box. This came in after the UK changed the licence expiry to 65 and the pension scheme went through a reassessment. Up to then it was 55 for pension and 60 for licence. Few, if any, of my colleagues intend flying right through to 65!!

Mooncrest

Going back some thirty-odd years, I recall hearing of a very experienced Viscount skipper (those were the days) who reached the ripe old age of 55 and was promptly chopped by BA. As luck would have it, Air UK were then gearing up for expansion and said pilot found himself as a TRI on the F27 at the same base. So he landed on his feet but I don't know if there was any significant pay differential.

Akrapovic

Just to add, back in the day (BOAC era) - cabin crew were booted out at a very early age (mid-thirties-ish) and you couldn't be married and it was genuinely a 'No Fat Chicks' company. . . .

It's all gone a bit too PC for my liking ..