Roberto

Most of you know, bigjetcity has been conducting a highly unscientific survey regarding the Age 60 Rule for pilots. We have been very clear on the fact that this survey is unscientific because I already knew my respondents had an interest in aviation and that most of them would be over 55 years of age. In other words, the survey had the tendency to be biased at the on-set. We were careful to construct the questions so they could not be misinterpreted----- you may remember they went like this:

1. If you had a secure retirement (as promised) would you have the desire to fly past 60?

2. Would your decision to fly past 60 be financial or something else....like a love of aviation or travel whatever?

and lastly,

3. Would you be or have been content to leave at 62 when you could claim Social Security?

Now, ALPA is doing what I suspect they believe is a scientific/non-biased survey. I have been told by more than one person, though I can not confirm, that this survey is open to pilots under the age of 60 and at least some if not all furloughees???? The obvious conclusion, then, would be that the ALPA survey is as biased as the bigjetcity survey.
I have read the questions and what an interesting use of the English language! Ambiguous and open to interpretation----somewhere, someone is going to truly enjoy interpreting the results. Long surveys are great for that---ask enough questions and you will, generally, be able to support your point no matter what your point is.

A few of the more entertaining examples are as follows:

7. Do you favor changing the FAA Age 60 Rule?
Yes
No
Not sure
Prefer not to say ----Why are you taking this survey?

2. Some pilots feel the Age 60 Rule should be changed, because since the rule was established in the 1950's Americans are now living longer and remaining healthy longer. Do you feel this is valid?
Yes What exactly, is the question? It seems to be whether or not you believe Americans are living longer.
No
Not sure
Prefer not to say

4. Some pilots feel the Age 60 rule should be changed to allow this option for pilots who desire to fly longer, or who need to fly longer for economic reasons. Do you feel this is valid?
Yes The question is : Do you feel it is valid that some pilots feel the Age 60 rule should be changed to allow this option for pilots who desire to fly longer, or who need to fly longer for economic reasons ---- read it again, isn't that the question, not if you believe the rule should be changed.
No
Not sure
Prefer not to say

5. Some pilots feel the Age 60 rule should be retained because changing it would delay career advancement. Do you feel this is valid?
Yes These trick questions! Once again they have made a statement no one could argue with and ask if you feel it is a valid statement---- the answer has to be YES It is a valid concern for some pilots!
No
Not sure
Prefer not to say

9. If the FAA standard were changed to allow one pilot to be up to age 65 provided the other pilot is under age 60, what effect, if any, do you feel this would have on your airline's operational safety? Would such a change:
Improve safety
Have no effect Not having had the opportunity to fly with a pilot over the age of 60 no one really
Reduce safety knows-- or as they say on TV "Objection your Honor, heresay!"
Not sure
Prefer not to say

12. Do you believe that the Class I medical exam is suitable for determining fitness beyond age 60?
Yes
No Have to ask the scary question here: Do you believe that the Class I medical exam is suitable for determining fitness under Age 60?
Not sure
Prefer not to say

13. If the FAA Age 60 Rule is changed, which of the following requirements, if any, do you feel should apply to pilots over the age of 60? Please check all that you feel should apply to pilots over the age of 60.
Must have a Class I Medical, regardless of seat position
Medical exams more frequently than every 6 months
More stringent health criteria than Class I Medical
Evaluation of ability to deal with fatigue Would you be willing to add these requirements to
Cardio-vascular Stress tests your medical? Anything less would surely be age discrimination.
Diabetes Screening Test
None
Not sure
Prefer not to say

15. On a scale of 1 to 5, if the retirement age for pilots were increased to Age 65, what effect do you feel such a change would have in each of the following areas? For this question, a 5 means a change would have a very positive effect, a 4 means a moderately positive effect, 3 means a neutral effect, a 2 means a moderately negative effect and a 1 means a very negative effect.

Your financial stability:
1 – very negative effect
2 – moderately negative An excellent opportunity to ask the respondents general age
3 - neutral 20 - 30
4 – moderately positive 31 -40
5 – very positive 41-- 53
Not sure/prefer not to say 54 ----59+ 364 days This is a question that will tell you something!

Your career earnings:
1 – very negative effect
2 – moderately negative Remember this question is your career earnings-----which, if everyone works until the same retirement age should not be effected no matter what that age is.
3 - neutral
4 – moderately positive
5 – very positive
Not sure/prefer not to say

Your quality of life:
1 – very negative effect I must be reading this wrong, Is the question whether or not you believe
2 – moderately negative being around someone who has had their 60th birthday would effect
3 - neutral your quality of life? Old is not contagious----BUT you will eventually 4 – moderately positive get there----either way.
5 – very positive
Not sure/prefer not to say

Your pilot group's bargaining power in contract negotiations:
1 – very negative effect
2 – moderately negative Well, any answer other than NO EFFECT would indicate you are not
3 - neutral really a UNION
4 – moderately positive
5 – very positive
Not sure/prefer not to say

Change the Age 60 Rule to one that measures physical capability and health on an individual basis, regardless of age:
1 – Strongly oppose Finally, something truly inspired by safety! Will anyone support this idea?
2
3
4
5 – Strongly support
Not sure/prefer not to say

So, remember, when you read the results of ALPA'S Blue Ribbon Survey on the Age 60 Question----(or any other survey) ask yourself who responded and how did they interpret the questions they answered?
Let me remind you, I am no expert on these matters! I have offered my thoughts in the hopes that you will be inclined to think about it too.Comments can be sent to editor@bigjetcity.com

fdx727pilot

I have never seen an ALPA survey (mostly done by Wilson) that wasn't ambiguous and open to interpretation. Short of a "For any reason, do you support a change to the FAA age 60 rule?" question, it will be ambiguous, as there a multitude of reasons and veiwpoints, pro and con.

RedeyeAV8r

My take on the survey, Clearly they could ask 1 question [] Yes or [] NO.
The issue is a little more complex. The Leadership is telling you that the rule is going to change (of course there are no absolutes). Just like I could say the Sun will rise tomorrow. There is a chance It could Super Nova this evening.......There are still folks who really don't think it is going to change...........That is their right to think so, If your elected leadership is telling you likewise, it is worth a listen.

Many "Black Helicopter" theorists think ALPA is trying to pull a fast one with this poll. Many of you said the same thing of the FPA survey asking the FedeX Pilots if they wanted to re-affiliate with ALPA.

Also, this is a Poll or survey, not a vote! There is a difference.

The FPA used the Wilson Center (same outfit doing this survey).for that and other surveys.

Phil Comstock, the Head of the Wilson Center, asks the interested party
"What do you want to know". His outfit writes the questions.

For what it;s worth he called the FPA/ALPA vote within less than 1% of the actual vote count.

He has done the same on numerous other surveys.
He told ALPA #1 that they would lose the de-certification vote in 1997 and called that vote by 1%...........His stuff is legit and his survey have proven to be an accurate account of the membership's opinions.

There is no hidden agenda here. If you are against age 60, there are plenty of NO or stongly opposed answers................and there are plenty of Yes and Strongly support answers if your opinion is of the contrary.

If you are unsure of the answer........"prefer not to answer"

Everyone should Take the web survey...........
If you are one of the fortunate who get called by the Wilson Center
Take the time (20 minutes) and answer the questions with the poller.

Contact your MEC reps and speak with them. Listen and hear what they tell you. This is an emotional and contentious issue.

__________________
RedEyE