Obviously we have some A/C fly past 60 folks here. I'm sure it will happen at some point in the future. People are healthier, living longer and most of the other airlines around the world have adopted this extension. All fair enough.
What's in very bad taste and almost offensive is some entitled, arrogant, greedy knob profiled in the paper trying to garner sympathy. Hired at 21, unheard of today, 39 years service, self proclaimed top gun and No 1. With the benefit of all the other retirees before him, this guy now stands tall and what a great opportunity to stay the course making 230k/year + for another 5 years, then given an indexed pension at an even higher rate in proportion to his higher salary. Saigon, he will personally make more money with a dual income moving to Turkey, but make no mistake, he WILL cost AC more money staying for another 5 years on a higher salary and an even higher pension payout. What's the Air Canada pension shortfall now? Talk to a retired United, American, US Airways pilot about their pension.
This fellow is basically semi retired. At the top of the pyramid, he flies likely a few times a month, on his preferred route, gets all his requested vacation time and all of his benefits are maxed to the top level. Knowing this for his entire career of 39 years at A/C, right out of flight school he now wants to maintain his position of No 1 ! What a great idea
Why not buy a light twin, do some real flying and retire with dignity like so many others before you. Go to turkey, sim instruct, but allow the system to move people along, and after 39 years for goodness sakes ! This guy wants to cruise along at the top for another 5 years and only NOW at the final hour is trying to extract sympathy from the working public? Even from the article with limited information, the people call bullsh$t and in big numbers. They will now watch with interest to see if this arrogant narcissist will fly past 60. This doesn't do any favors to the cause or the reputation of an AC pilot. Good luck.