Safety is key in pilot retirement age
Lyndon Shumaker - Yukon, Okla.

In response to the recent debate about raising the mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots, I wholeheartedly agree with Capt. Ralph Hunter's view, "Public comes before pilots" (Opposing view, Air safety debate, Nov. 24).

As a pilot for a major cargo carrier, I witness firsthand the cumulative effects of flying across multiple time zones, shift work on the "back side of the clock" and long trips away from home. Sixty is simply old enough. The fact that the International Civil Aviation Organization requires that one of the two pilots in the cockpit be younger than 60 should be a wake-up call for air safety advocates.

If pilots older than 60 are safe to fly, as some allege, why not allow two 64-year-olds to fly together?

Another important consideration is that when a pilot turns 60, he is not suddenly unemployable; he just cannot fly for a major carrier. He can, however, attain a position as a corporate pilot, flight instructor or other flying jobs that operate under different regulations than air carriers.

Finally, I see hypocrisy in the fact that many of those arguing for the change are nearly 60 themselves. These pilots have benefited from the age 60 rule their entire careers, and now, at the last possible minute, they want to change the rules to benefit themselves.

Some pilots are able to safely fly beyond age 60, and some are not. The safety of the public must be the primary concern of the Federal Aviation Administration as it considers these rule changes.

Money is 'dirty secret'
Bret Henry - Lake Oswego, Ore.

Capt. Ralph Hunter's opposition to changing the airline pilot retirement age from 60 to 65 is just smoke and mirrors. As president of the Allied Pilots Association, he must represent the wishes of his union, which wants to keep the age at 60.

Those who want to keep the age 60 rule will always use the "safety" argument. They know the public will support more safety in the skies, even though the worries regarding retirement age haven't proved to be true. The dirty little secret is that this debate is all about money. Younger pilots get paid more money when they move to the captain's seat and/or when they fly larger aircraft. This happens through fleet expansion and, more often, through mandatory retirement at age 60. The sooner a pilot retires, the more money the next pilot will make.

As a 47-year-old airline pilot who has been in this industry for more than 21 years, I have supported an older retirement age since I was in my 20s. This isn't about money; it's about fair treatment and a pilot's choice to continue to fly after age 60.

Most of the world has approved a rule that allows pilots to fly to age 65. The United States should, too.

'Get out of our seat'
Charles Curreri, Legacy air carrier first officer - Arlington, Texas

Are we supposed to feel sorry for United Airlines Capt. Allan Engelhardt, 59, and pilots like him?

I want to know what he and many other captains at United, Delta and U.S. Airways have done with their former $250,000-plus annual salaries as wide-body captains over the many years. They hold the best schedules (10-12 days a month), best vacations and best pay. Why? Because previous pilots left the cockpit at age 60, allowing them to enjoy the financial perks of captainhood.

As for stringent check rides and FAA physicals: baloney. Most FAA Class 1 physicals are a joke. As for flying evaluations, show up, be alert and you pass. Capt. Engelhardt got his, now we want ours. Get out of our seat, Capt. Engelhardt.

Posted at 12:10 AM/ET, December 01, 2006 in Air travel - Letters, Business issues - Letters, Letter to the editor, Pay/Income issues - Letters | Permalink
Comments
Heart-less wonders these contentious pilots. Didn't the American Air pilots show their true colors when they defied a Federal Judge's order? Didn't the United pilots hold passengers "hostage" as a tactic during contract negotiations?

These boys must really enjoy the fruits of their labors treating each other as objects rather than humans being!

When all the younger pilots approach the age sixty, will they want to have the choice to continue with their livelyhood? "Gosh, perhaps we just keep shooting ourselves in the foot."

Let's hope Congress will level the playing field by ordering the FAA to make a change commensurate with the ICAO States which ratified and adopted a change without all the drama.




interesting...same old points...sorry if repost