Yaletown.
BA addressed your problem years ago, all retired staff of whatever age or previous service were given a boarding priority behind even the most junior, eligible employee. Current employees get first bite of the cherry.
Further, ones' actual date of joining after upon retirement advanced by one day each day for boarding privileges, so, for instance, I served 24 years starting in 1958, but my date of joining for boarding is 2009 minus the 24 years that I served, i.e now effectively 1985, so a retiree who started after me in 1958, but served more years, will have a higher priority than me - always.
Worth lobbying your Company ! Best of luck !