what kind of question is that? of course you would if it keeps your job.

Well I'd fly with an FO who is over 60.

Hope that helps.

Of course I have, and will continue to do so.

In fact some of them had even gone into retirement and come back to fly after the 65-rule came thru.

One of them is 64 year old now and has 17 years on our aircraft type. On a 4 sector flight he regularly gives away 3 sectors to the F/Os.

Great guys, all of them. They're medically fit and do their Class 1 every 6 months with many extra medical tests. They wouldn't be there if they weren't fit to fly.

Why? What's your point?

Sure
 

I often fly with captains over 60 and I learn a lot from these guys. They have loads of experience and are often more relaxed and comfortable to be with, than the new young captains that have to prove to the world that they now are "in charge" :hmm: !!

If you don't want to fly with those guys because of their age you might consider to look into your own attitudes to start with. After all, the retirement age will most likely be lifted to minimum 65 years anyway before i retire in 30+ years :uhoh:

Well a buddy of mine working for a large european carrier was told by an F/O that he will refuse to fly with captains older than sixty. Currently some of the european airlines are dealing with the anti-discrimination law which will propably allow pilots to fly until sixtyfive.

regards

What an ignorant question.


Without a moment's hesitation. The amount you can learn and pick up from someone with a career's worth of experience in the course of a day can be phenomenal.


Incidentally....taxiing out in the 737 the other day the Skipper looks at me and says...you know, it's a while since I last took off from XYZ (UK regional airport)....last time I was here I was in the Dakota!! :ooh:

With all due regard,

THE F/O IS AN IDIOT


Another 20 something ace from space who wonders why he has not got command yet me thinks!

I'd fly with a guy over 60 anytime. There's a lot to be learned from these old timers. It's a pity that some others think otherwise. I wouldn't fly with a "know-it-all" F/O, will be quite annoying and nothing to learn there! So turn off the automatics and listen up kids!

motaderim has it right,

The younger or how can I say newer entrants to this profession have forgotten respect.

I received a PM from the author of the question regarding the F/Os employer and it does not surprise me as to the operator or location.

Won’t this guy be a pleasure to fly with…… NOT

Sure FNG’s can punch away at an FMC like a concert pianist but a lot a real lot of them lack Airmanship and situational awareness, sometimes to almost ignorant levels.

When I did my time as an FO I learnt everything I could from those people who were my mentors Age and experience outwits youth and bravado any day, right now I am in the middle ground and the day I stop learning anything in my regular flights is the day I am not trying enough.

It's a bluff!
 

What, some First Officer is going to set his own policy with regard to whom he will or won't fly with? That should go down well with the Human Resources Department of his airline!

Does this fellow have any other personal needs his airline is happy to meet? A special diet or perhaps a roster consisting of mid-morning starts, no night-stops and weekends off? A special deal with the Rolex factory that gets him a third off on a GMT Master!

Where can I sign up? I will fly with anyone, even a jerk like this one, I can live on a diet of peanuts if someone else can just get the little bags open for me, I don't mind night-stops or working weekends and I even have my own Rolex.

The only thing is, I do need a set of clips for my Zimmer frame, there on the cockpit wall.

It happened not too far from you.......

I think I will refuse to fly with any FO younger than 30. Now that we old buggers can fly on until we are 65, we don't need all that many new pilots any more so I suggest a minimum age of 25 before an ATPL is issued.
On a serious note, I always wondered how one day could make so much difference to one's ability to do your job. You land at 2359 and then 2 minutes later you are too old to work. Does that seem sensible?
At long last, common sense prevails. I for one will be pushing for fly until your medical expires!

Correct
 

I quit flying at 55 and spent most of my time "playing around" with my car collection, not I hesitate to add a fleet of Ferrari's just interesting cheapish cars. After getting under the feet of my wife for a while, she sent me out to "do something" - that something was almost 5 years with a UK Police aviation unit, it was hard work but great fun! The people I worked with were "top people" - at 60 I found myself "retired" once again as it was a SPA operation. For 6 months I "played around" again with my car collecton and kept looking at my garden thinking to myself "mmmm! maybe I should be growing roses!"

I was called out of retirement to advise and direct a small commuter operator in the Caribean who were struggling. When I arrived all the pilots were on the verge of quiting, the aircraft was grounded and money was running out. Now, 9 months later, we are operating 86 sectors a week / 45 hours block time with one Shorts SD3-60. The crew come to work with a smile on their face, ticket sales have increased by 300% and we shall be introducing a pressurized twin 34 seat turboprop into service by the second quarter of 2008

The point I am making here, is not "Hey look at me I am a genius" - it is simply just because I am over 60 does not mean I cannot make a contribution to aviation. I am Director of Flight Operations and Training, I conduct Sim Training, flight training and checks and occasionally I fly the "line". Trust me, being over 60 does not mean you are "done for" - I work about 80 hours a week (but dont the tell the Authority ha ha !) and enjoy EVERY moment of it. There is no better reward than a young F/O popping in to my office and saying "I'd just like to say how much we appreciate you being here Sir!" - and by his face and eyes I know he means it.

For all the "Blue eyed 2000 hour F/O's" who believe anyone over 35 is past it - look into the mirror and remember you to will be 60 one day!!

MercenaryAli
 

Tks very much for your post. All the best for you.
Abel Coelho.:ok:

Others found to be useful beyond 65
 

Well done guys!:ok:

So you see, being useful and involved in the flying game can be done!

Over the years one does hear about a few aged pilot's making useful constributions somewhere! CFI's or Manager's -nothing wrong with that!

Happy landings
:D