time to retire i think

[thewwIIace]

getting really annoyed at work. on our fleet there are people retiring as over 55 only to go fly for other outfits. my probs withit are that a; stops promotion, b; there are some nice guys losing jobs with families to support who could do with the jobs at the moment. some are leaving on 5K month pension so not sure what motive is, sorry i do - GREED!!
some are coming of 400 to go fly 737 (havent flown for a long time so even have to get recurrent etc)
friend has some flying at his outfit, doing there old company SOP's - FO gear up, shut up routine etc. the guy just left us was a right p... feel sorry for the company getting him. anyway thats off me chest, but do think it is very unfair for the young guys trying to start out and for the ones trying to get reemployed. grow old gracefully pleaseeee

[buzz]

We're talking about BA here aren't we? Retire at 55 on a good pension and then go and deprive others of a job and keep wages down to boot!

BTW is Best Recruitment still in business - this BALPA subsidiary specialises/ed in finding jobs for BA retirees to the detriment of non BA Balpa members and every one else etc...etc... see above.

[Notso Fantastic]

Chaps.....do we live in a democracy? Are we each responsible for ourselves? If a BA retiree decides to go fly for another operator, what right do you actually have to shout 'objection!'. He would rather stay in BA and complete his desired career. If being enforced out at a premature 55 is not to his taste, he will sell his skills elsewhere (as he has every right to do! If you want to indulge in a bit of 'BA bashing' or personal individual bashing, then please leave your name and email address so we know who we are talking to and make your accusations named, particularly to the CAA, if you feel they are not 'up to the job'. You won't of course, because these people have probably got 10 times your flying experience on types ranging from turboprop twins to Concorde, so when you fly with them, use it as a learning experience!

[NW1]

Hey Buzz,

Do you consider that by being employed as an airline pilot you are unfairly depriving someone of a job in the flight deck? If not then your above argument is invalid.

Looked at another way, the BA pilot going to another UK airline at 55 has been enabling that airline to hold a job open for 30 years for someone else until he filled it at age 55 instead of age 25.

As someone else said - its a free world and you really shouldn't resent others for going for a job just because you want it. Its an open job-market. You'll only get all twitter and bisted.... :D

[ 22 November 2001: Message edited by: NW1 ]

[White Knight]

Grow up.

[Stan Woolley]

They do indeed have every right, but we then have the right to call them greedy, as many are.It's difficult to push for improved pay and conditions when a significant number of people in the company are flying for fun!

I accept there are people who need the money - others don't.Why not put something back or buy a cub?

NSF.
As for a learning experience - sometimes it certainly was!!Your post defines the attitude that opened my eyes on more than one occasion.Many BA licences probably go: Baron,VC10,747,777 ;all in one company!

Apologies to the many excellent and normal BA pilots out there.

[Rolling Stone]

Of course they could also be on their third wife and need to work to 60 :(

[Max Angle]

ww11ace,

I am sure that you will find that any ex BA pilot flying for another outfit is doing so because they have to and would much rather have stayed put till 60 if only they were allowed to do so. If you join BA fairly late you will not have built up much of a fund by 55 and you may have no choice but to go on working. It is 60 in my outfit unfortunately so I won't get the option

[Human Factor]

BA pilots are contracted to age 55 (with a couple of exceptions on the old Dan Dare contract - although they're tied to EOG). Anyone who joins the company at any level of age or experience knows this.

Anyone who wishes to work beyond age 55 is free to do so elsewhere if they so desire, but I very much disagree that greed is the likely motivation. The difficulty within BA is that if the retirement age was increased to sixty, anyone junior to (yes, I know it's the seniority arguement again) anyone who chooses to remain for an additional five years, would find his or her command delayed by that same five years.

The only solution I can see is to leave existing contracts alone and hire any new recruits to age 60.

[CAN OF WORMS] :eek: [/CAN OF WORMS]