Some people seem to ignore that this decision does not force all pilots to keep flying after age 60. It merely ensures that those who want to continue because they like it or, more likely, need to continue to earn an income at their chosen occupation are permitted to do so. They are still subject to passing a medical every six months, along with appropriate competency checks. Those who want to retire at 60 are still free to do so. Indeed all pilots are free to retire earlier than age 60 if they wish.
The very basis of a civilised society is that the rights of one person who is part of a minority are as important as the rights of one person who is part of a majority. This is enshrined in the American constitution. Those who support the absolute right of the majority to impose their will upon others are supporting the law of the jungle - might is right, gang law! They support gang rape, because it is wanted by the majority; they support swarms of teenage thugs mugging an old age pensioner in the shopping mall, because that is wanted by the majority. Civilised people recognise that this sort of behaviour and supposed right of a majority is not acceptable, either in violent criminal cases such as those mentioned or in civil matters such as people having the right to earn a living at their chosen occupation. It is selfish and uncivilised to impose one's personal views and restrictions upon others, particularly if those doing the imposing are motivated by greed or their own self interest. They should learn to compete on merit in the labour market. Such restrictions as forced retirement, cartels and unions are the refuge of the less willing and less ethical who are prepared to go through life at someone else's expense rather than compete on their own efforts and merits.
The best advice to those who want to force people to retire is "Practice what you preach!" Please retire and get out of the way of those of us who intend to continue earning a living.
Last edited by Carrier; 1st Sep 2009 at 18:45.
Reason: spelling