Tornado,
That would be true, were it not for the contract everyone (before) signed that provided a certain rate of progression in pay and benefits through seniority-based system up to the maximum age of 55. No different than all those guys who joined the army or air force with a contract for a certain number of years, or any other contract. Nobody said you have to "retire" at 55: That is just when the contract you signed expires. You can work anywhere else you wish, but you don't get to benefit from the progression brought on by the contract (others ahead of you had to retire at 55) and then complain that it's not fair that you have to go then too.
Perhaps those who think working as long as they wish in a seniority-based career should lose 10 yrs of seniority progression when they turn 55, and go back to the pay and benefits (and rank, and requests, and leave, etc.) they could hold after losing 10 years of seniority, as has effectively happened to those who had 10 years (or so) added to their progression with RA65....then we'll see how much they love going to work still at age 56-65?