Originally Posted by
org1
This is an argument about something that hasn't happened. The NPRM has not been issued, and comments haven't been heard...especially from the legislative branch. This is very early in the rule making process to make firm statements about what will/will not happen.
Besides that, there will be legal challenges if the rule stays as stated by Blakeley. There will be no legal basis to deny the front seat to someone simply because his birthday was one day too late. The way it was originally proposed, saying the rule wouldn't be basis to FORCE reinstatement by an airline MIGHT have worked. Saying under no circumstances can an over 60 otherwise qualified pilot can't be hired or returned to the front seat even if the company wants to will be on pretty shakey ground, especially since the "medical" pretense will no longer be applicable.
Time will tell, it's by no means over.
Actually, the same basis for kicking them out when they hit 60 now or when they hit 65 after a change.
Moving the age to 65 doesn't change the fact that government (rightly) tells us when to hang em up. You still need an upper limit for safety purposes and hopefully it will remain 60.