Originally Posted by
fearcampaign
There are a higher number of pilots retiring earlier than both AIPA or Qantas forecast. Approximately 1000 in a decade I was told. These numbers are in an AIPA email. 90-100 retirements per year at this stage with some years higher.
The ages used to be in the bidding data, so if you've kept any of the old stuff, you can work it out roughly yourself. Recruitment has always been in batches, so the retirements will probably come the same way.
Qantas send pilots a letter approaching 65 asking what their intentions are.
Approaching 65 would seem rather late in the event. Certainly no room for any planning with notice that short, even if people actually reply.
A great number don't reply and simply notify Qantas with the minimum notice. A recurrent theme is that many of the senior folk retiring make the statement that I got no notice when you grounded the airline, hence minimum notice is all you'll get in return. They are not required to telegraph their intentions to all and sundry.
The disconnect is quite stunning. No information ever comes out of Sydney any more, other than spam. We find out what the fleet is doing from the frequent fliers. Why would we tell them anything...they never talk to us.