I don’t see Telfer’s comments except when others quote them.
Some may try and stay but there needs to be an available slot for them to stay for. Currently there are zero and unlikely to be any at any stage prior to this time next year. There is no hope in Hades that FWA would rule that Qantas must create a vacancy on a fleet where 70+% of crew are stood down in order to allow someone 65 to continue.
Someone in the 63-65 bracket also needs to consider the early retirement offer in front of them and if aged between 63 and 64.5 what a difference that (tax free) sum is going to make to their bottom line compared to hanging on for a couple of years until they’re able to start and then doing a conversion course.