Thu, Dec 13, 2007
Vote Comes One Day After House Approves Separate Provision
Sometimes, the Senate CAN act
quickly. One day after the House of Representatives unanimously
approved a measure increasing the mandatory retirement age for US
commercial pilots to 65, the Senate voted its approval for the
legislation as well... sending the bill to the president's
desk.
As ANN reported, Minnesota
Congressman James Oberstar -- sponsor of the "Fair Treatment for
Experienced Pilots Act" -- pulled the measure from the broader FAA
Reauthorization Act, which Congress passed in September, when it
became clear the Senate wasn't going to act on its version of FAA
reauthorization before the end of the year.
If signed into law by President Bush, the legislation will
update a 1960 FAA ruling forcing pilots from the cockpit at age 60.
The measure would bring US standards into compliance with
international regulations; the International Civil Aviation
Organization adopted the age 65 retirement standard in November
2006.
Under the bill, pilots who choose to fly commercially past age
60 will need to have their medical certificates renewed every six
months under the measure, according to The Associated Press, and
submit to a line check twice a year. They'll also need to
participate in additional training and qualification programs.
Flights departing US airports for foreign destinations would
require at least one pilot under the age of 60, if a pilot between
60-65 is also part of the flight crew.
Pilots who celebrate their 60th birthdays before Age 65 becomes
law are out of luck, as airlines won't be required to hire them
back if the measure goes into effect. If they want to keep flying,
those pilots will need to reapply for their jobs, and start at the
bottom of the seniority scale... a provision that all-but
guarantees those pilots will opt to seek employment elsewhere.
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