A Comment re: "Senior" HP Personnel

[presley.j@atomcon.gc.ca]

     Please allow me to "stir the pot" if I may.
     
     I attended the recent HPS Annual Meeting in Seattle
     which was my first, and was very impressed with the
     quality and quantity of the topics and discussions.
     
     There was one observation I made that I would like to
     put forth and possibly open the floor for discussion.
     
     It seemed to me that there were a large percentage
     of "senior" HPS members in attendance. By senior, I mean
     persons who look to be prime candidates for a happy, enjoyable
     retirement.
     
     Now, assuming that most of these folks are not already retired, 
     wouldn't a solution to the current "dearth" of job openings in our 
     profession be evident here ??
     
     Am I way off-base here ?
     Is HP such a satisfying career that we all want to die with
     a geiger in our hands ? or,
     Is HP so "non-lucrative" that none of us can ever afford to retire ?
     
     Any Comments ?
     
     (BTW - I do not need a job, but I do know some younger people who do)
     
     Jim Presley