Things in Australia seem a tad better than elsewhere in the world. Pay conditions here are pretty good and I don't know of anyone who does it genuinely tough working as a LAME here. There are some stats on the CASA website www.casa.gov.au that indicate that the five thousand or so LAME's in AUS have a mean age of mid fifties.

I think stress is certainly a big one, I suffer stress related hypertension at age 28, and already look forward to finding a more plesant way to afford myself a decent lifestyle.

It has been my experience that aviation people (well pilots and engineers at least) tend to be big drinkers, anyone else noticed this one?

2 guys left worlds favourite at LHR in recent years on early retirement with a bit of a cash incentive. One got bored and got temporary ramp work with a charter company at LGW, the other left and then it was realised nobody knew how he did what he did and he has been brought back on a daily contract basis, presumably so that they can find out how to replace him!
Some guys don't want a sudden break of service and I think a option of reduced hours or days in a final transition year would be a good idea. One reason why people don't survive long after retirement must be because they aren't prepared.
The company loses a vast investment in knowledge and experience when really good guys leave the company retirement or otherwise and more should be done to accomodate guy's who want a run down period. Unfortunately aircraft engineering is woefully managed by well meaning individuals who just bored of wielding spanners and progressive thinking in this direction is a long way off.

Retirement age in Australia is 65. As for many guys reaching this, well where I work I think that most of the senior LAME's are over 50, but as for retirement, I am unsure. Natural attrition through injury ill health or other, yes that is quite common, particulary injury and ill health.

I'm looking for anyone that has had a condition known as Fybromyalgia. Symptoms, condition, outome, etc. Can use my Hotmail reply address if necessary.
Thanks T.I.Man

Never had it myself but knew someone who did. Not very nice and no-one takes it seriously...

http://www.immunesupport.com/track/goto/goto10.cfm

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