Backing Pilots Who Don't Want To Retire At 60

Twelve pilots asked the Supreme Court to review their challenge of the "Age 60" rule that has been in effect for more than 40 years. Southwest Airlines will provide some backup, by filing a friend of the court brief according to a report in TIME. The pilots are seeking a waiver to enable them to keep flying.

"Times are changing," says Southwest spokesman Linda Rutherford. "We are losing some really good pilots."

The rule was supposedly based on observing that physical and mental abilities decline with age, and that there was no clear testing procedure to eliminate unsafe pilots. It remains in place despite studies showing that older pilots can still be capable. Critics say that airlines like the rule because it gets rid of their highest paid pilots.

The Air Line Pilots Association opposed the rule at first, but helped their members adapt to the change. In 1980, they agreed to support the rule. However, in September of last year, ALPA began the process of reexamining the rule, and determining what would happen if the rule would change. Their website says that ALPA will continue to examine the issues and that their priority is the "assurance of safe Operations."

Those who want the rule changed point out the stringent standards that pilots must face. They receive two physical examinations, check rides and recurrent training each year. "If rigid enforcement of the age 60 rule ever served any valid purpose—a doubtful proposition at best—it certainly outlived its usefulness long ago," says Tony Bothwell, the attorney representing the pilots' challenge.

FMI: www.iflyswa.com