I'm not surprised with the figure of before-60 retirements and career changes. Not in the slightest. After age 45 or so, most people tend to reevaluate their priorities, even if that means downshifting in the name of a more relaxed life. I've seen people in their late 40s or early 50s leave flying for a lower-paid job on the ground or exchange a major carrier for some small and unknown charter operation where much less flying is done each month/year. What is tolerable at 30 is no longer tolerable at 50.