The 55 issue is a red herring. Take care to separate 'retirement' from being 'required to leave a company'.
The BA contract requires to leave the company at 55; they are then free to either not work any more (if they can afford it) or look for another job (if they need to).
There are many comapnies that have 'benefitted' from the experience brought by ex BA golden oldies on their own personal top up scheme.
It seems to me to be disingenuous to want to stay on at BA (with however many years seniority and increments) and deny the flow that the seniority system is built upon.
Move along Claude, and let someone else have a crack at the senior jobs !!
The real issue is lack of consistency in european airspace that makes it difficult for a pilot to remain a jet Captain after age 60, making over 60's unable to continue to earn at the appropriate rate for someone at the top of their respective position. Unlike lawyers and doctors, pilots are effectively legislated out of their jobs at 60. I'm all for people being able to work beyond 60 (if they want/need to) but licensing legislation needs to change to allow pilots a fair crack of the whip.
Thank You.