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Posted on 12/13/2007 12:47:31 PM PST by saganite
Increasing the mandatory retirement age of airline pilots is now in the President's hands, after the Senate voted late Dec. 12 to pass a measure increasing the age from 60 to 65.
"Forcing our nation's pilots to retire at 60 is out-of-date and only succeeds in removing our most experienced pilots from our skies," said Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.
The law would change Federal Aviation Administration regulations from the 1960s, and would be in line with mandatory retirement age requirements adopted by the Civil Aviation Organization in 2006.
The FAA has indicated it plans to promulgate a rule following that precedent.
"Pilots are valued for their experience," said Rep. Robin Hayes, R-N.C. "The 60 year-old retirement law arbitrarily pushes our most seasoned pilots out the door with no regard to their true skills."
The legislation requires pilots who have reached the age of 60 to have a medical certificate renewed every six months, continue participation in FAA pilot training, and other safe guards.
"When I die, I hope I die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather, not screaming in terror like his passengers."
I think they should retire at 85. That would make flying more fun. They could tell stories about the good days over the radio.
But once they start misplacing the keys to the plane they’re out.
Pilot’s OK. However, they sure couldn’t push the flight attendant age any higher!
Like I can remember at my age.
:)
I saw an elderly Delta flight attendant on a Hawaii trip several years ago that was so fragile I was really concerned for her welfare. I kept an eye on her waiting for her to stumble.
I’d prefer a 65 year old pilot to the adolescent looking guy who flew the last puddle jumper I was on.
At least they put this clause in.
The legislation requires pilots who have reached the age of 60 to have a medical certificate renewed every six months, continue participation in FAA pilot training, and other safe guards.
This is excellent news and long overdue. A medically certified person in this age range should be able to continue his or her career.
the likelihood of strokes and heart attacks goes up exponentially.
That’s why there are 2 pilots (or more) up front. As for the physical every six months, that’s required now for pilots over 40 (I think that’s right, could be 45 or so) and airline pilots already continually participate in FAA mandated training. I suspect there are additional requirements in the fine print though and the physical will probably be more stringent.
Watch out for the planes that spend the entire flight with the left turn signal on.
You bet. Like going to a 27 year old doctor. I'll pass.
They have CO-PILOTS! Geez...
“The legislation requires pilots who have reached the age of 60 to have a medical certificate renewed every six months,”
That’s no change at all. ATPs have always had to have a physical every 6 months even if they are in their 30s.
Commercial is every year, and only private is every 2 years.
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AMEN! I see pilots on some of the commuter flights who look like they only shave once a week. Makes me wonder who drives them to the airport and what their curfew is.
How about we get rid of stupid arbitrary numbers and just force them to retire when they can no longer pass a flight exam?
At least the plane's stall speed prevents them from doing 20 mph the whole way.
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