Atlanta Driver,
The main reason that I can think of is financial. Like 15000 other pilots from the states, I lost 80% of my retirement when Usair went into bankruptcy the first time. I only have a few years to make it up and I never will. Top that with a 55% pay cut and I went through some savings to pay for the older kids college. We also had a "B" fund for retirement and between the normal loss in the stock market, and the Usair stock that was one of the investments, my B fund lost nearly 200,000 us dollars. I will confess that the Usair stock was optional and I was a fool to invest in it, but it is history, and I am trying to make up for the loss.
United has had their retirement taken over by the government, and Delta, American and Northwest will need some kind of pension relief or they will have the same thing happen to them.
I still love going to work each day. The moment the nose comes up I still get that "thrill" and say thanks for not having to do a "regular job". I assume that feeling will continue. I am one of those who needs and wants to work after 60 and I would like to at least have the option.
Regards,
330 Man