Thread by @mipsytipsy

My return trip -

Woken up in a zurich hotel by a text message: FLIGHT NOW BOARDING. Shit!!

Get up, pack, call taxi, ride to airport, get through security, cross airport, thru passport control, take a train out to the E gates, and walk on the plane with 1 min til boarding ends.

Then slept for ten more hours. 😴

As we were descending, the pilot's voice came on. He thanked us for being on what is called his "graduation flight" -- he turns 65 this month and will be retiring. It's his last flight. Everyone cheered, he sounded oddly flat and tired.

He was saying how much he has loved this job, loves flying more than anything, and I'm thinking "wow this guy does not seem to be looking forward to this"

then he slipped the word "mandatory" in there, and it made more sense. Yep, retirement is mandatory at 65 for pilots.

Can't decide if this is one of those things that totally makes sense from a hard nosed fiscal and safety perspective, or if it's more of a relic of yesteryear (like ss#) that helps the airlines weed out expensive senior folks.

(Anyone out there know more about this?)

The pilot was up front as we disembarked, saying goodbye to everyone and clearly fighting back tears. I hope he finds a wonderful second career as a flight instructor or something.

And I am really really thankful and happy to be going back to work tomorrow. 💕💻🌈