This week PASS joined a coalition of aviation industry unions to call on the Senate to reject any legislation that would increase the retirement age for pilots. The current mandatory retirement age for pilots is 65 and is aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),<\/p>\n
Noting the continuing stress on air travel this summer, the unions state that \u201cchanging the retirement age for pilots in the United States will not increase the supply of pilots but instead have many unintended consequences for passengers and junior pilots.\u201d Such a change would require retraining, increased costs for airline as well as the pilots.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe discussions related to increasing the pilot retirement age are intended to be a quick fix to the false narrative of inadequate pilot supply and another excuse for some airlines to water down pilot training requirements and flight experience time. However, the real problem is airline management\u2019s poor planning for a pandemic recovery,\u201d the coalition wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur unions represent employees in a wide variety of aviation-related professions,\u201d said PASS National President Dave Spero. \u201cBut central to all of their work is the safety of the National Airspace System and ultimately, the American flying public. PASS is proud to lend its support to this important issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt’s critical that Congress put the safety of passengers and aviation workers first,\u201d the unions wrote to the Senate. \u201cTransportation labor will always prioritize safety, and we urge you to oppose any legislation that would increase the pilot retirement age.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to PASS, the coalition includes the Air Line Pilots Association; Association of Flight Attendants, CWA; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; National Air Traffic Controllers Association; and the Transport Workers Union of America. All are affiliated with the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO<\/p>\n