Retirement age 65, means different things to every individual pilot in CX.
To most 50+ year old senior Captain's it is a "no brainer" to continue flying beyond 55, even on "B scales", when you compare CX SC17 + benefits to the alternatives. The hassle of adapting to a different employer after decades with CX is also a significant deterrant to going elsewhere.
But to the rest of us, the delayed progression and reduced opportunities will come at different costs.
Many Captains of my generation will not be able to take advantage of anticipated basing vacancies until years later than previously expected. Worst case, the highly desirable bases such as AKL, PER, BNE, YVR, LHR etc will be rarely available for an extra 5-10 years. We will all vote against RA65, since bypass pay doesn't help our position.
Almost all F/O's and S/O's (who joined before 01/01/2008) will see their progression to command delayed. For some senior F/O's the delay will be maybe a year, but for others it could be a significant delay, maybe 5 years or so. These people are the vast majority of the CX pilot numbers, and they need significant compensation to vote away bypass pay for RA65.
It is important for all members to communicate strongly their concerns to the Committe at this time. You need to work out exactly what an increase to retirement age 65 will
personally cost you, and do not sell yourselves short.
Why not consider a "softly-softly" increase to retirement age, such as a phased in increase of an extra 1 year service every 2-3 years? For example, RA 56 now, RA 57 in 2011, RA 58 in 2014 etc.
This is a major issue, so get your mates involved as well. Call and email anyone you know on the GC. If your interests are not adequetely protected and compensated, you will really live to regret this.
Why don't we just sh*t can this whole issue and stick with the current RA55/bypass pay until we have a deal on pay?
