The 51-year-old copilot's career at the once high-flying national flag carrier went south on Sept. 25 when he received his schedule for the following month: no flights.
"I couldn't understand why it was blank. But later, I learned I was one of the candidates for forced dismissal because of my age," the Japan Airlines International Co. copilot said, on condition of anonymity.
He was one of many JAL employees who received blank schedules that day. Although nothing has been finalized, the recipients of the blank schedules will probably soon be fired if they don't accept the early retirement packages being offered.