Jonathon68 - you wrote:
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.
How does this help the most affected - ie most junior guys?? All it does is unevenly spread the pain. Which won't do anything to reunite the crew body.