RAS767,
I think you might not have availed yourself of the data that has been published on the alleged safety issue with over sixty pilots.
Every medical organization has verified there is no detectable health issue that is exposed by your age. SWAPA firmly supports age 65. APA says they are opposed as is ALPA.
ALPA conducted a "Poll" this year on extending the age and came up with a slight majority against....but only after directing selective telephone polling to skew the numbers against.
With the change in ICAO, the USA will have to allow Foreign pilots to fly as Captain into the country. Presently foreign carriers are allowed to fly over 60 age co-pilots into the USA.
This legislation levels the playing field.....no worry to those who presently fly in Europe as it is firmly guarded by "legal to live and work in the EU"
The 5000 furloughed pilots are mostly either rehired, recalled or in some cases have left the profession. The LCCs and Express Airlines in the USA have been hiring for a couple of years and now hire pilots with time down in the 500 range!
Continental Airlines has been hiring 60 per month all this year and plans to continue for the next year at least.
An impending Captain shortage is quickly approaching particuliarly with the number of DEC Captains required for India and China not to mention Ryan and Easy.
So what is the real issue here....
Regards
Airmike767