Cīmon people.
Itīs in the major companies best interest to keep the "old" guys!! (donīt wanna offend anyone by that term)
Training a pilot to that proficiency and experience cost them a lot of money.
At DLH theyīve even maxed it out moneywise.
At 55 youīre eligeble for "transitory" pay (max. 60% of your last gross) until youīre eligible for state pension (63 -65) for doing "nothing".
BUT - They canīt leave at 55 and fly someplace else without forever losing that "transitory" pay and making a loss on the transitory pay after 60.
(one captain flying is actually making less net, than a guy with the same time in company in retirement in the Canaries)
These guys get to fly part-time (max 75%).
So at age 55 they suddenly become the cheapest pilot in the cockpit (pay for driving minus missed transitory pay).
Itīs their own personal decision, and I donīt blame anyone for doing it (even though they fought hard for the 55yr-limit), but they effectively block everyone else down on the ladder.
Letīs not get personal about this!
Itīs just a matter of who has enough power, to make or change the rules...