True, maybe. I would however expect this to be the minority. Just like you see 67 year olds running a marathon, i.e. they are in the minority.

Wouldn't it be better to just bale out gracefully rather than watch things go downhill and end up being pushed? Lets face it, we can't go on forever. Its quite similar to OAP drivers who continue to drive when you really would rather not have to put up with them, but they just don't know when to call it a day.

When you get to 65 go play golf or do some weeding. There's more to life. By then you'll probably have such a massive airline pilot pension pot that you shouldn't need to do it anymore.

I fully intend to pack in well before 65. However, who knows what might happen before then? A Greek Government style raid on our savings? An expensive divorce? The fact remains that if someone can pass all the checks, then they should be allowed to continue in their role. Otherwise, what is the point of any checking in the first place?

763 jock the problem with that is you are then on a very slippery slope. If you do away with the age limits you're on the way to having a 90 year old Captain responsible for the lives of hundreds of people down the back, up front with one of those much less fit 50 year olds you quoted who barely passes his medical every year. (And that's inevitable too seeing as you're gonna see a lot older FO's sitting in the RHS with Captains who refuse to retire)

He's an exceptional 90 year old and has passed all the checks. But are you really happy with this situation as a passenger? Yes it's at the extreme end of the scale but that's still what you're potentially heading towards. I do not want to expand on my previous analogy except simply to say the line has to be drawn somewhere.

The recommendation only applies to co-pilots. It is mandated for Captains.

Re post #185
 

Wish they had a 'like' button sometimes on this forum

@ NigelonDraft

So, Captains could give up their command and go back in the RHS.

No-one is being disadvantaged. The "aged" captain still has a job and a co-pilot gains their command.

Everybody happy now?

Narrow Runway the people trying to get into the company on the bottom rung certainly wouldn't be! ;-)

Of course. Point taken.

However, those new joiners don't really figure in BA's plans until they're in the system. Therefore, it is difficult to factor their needs into this hypothetical discussion.

Perhaps Carbheatout could tell me which company is offering this massive pension pot so I can apply before the scheme is closed.