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Old 07-18-2023 | 05:51 AM
  #410  
Andy
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: guppy CA
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Originally Posted by ClownDown
Oct 1st seems like an optimistic deadline? I was imagining it would be end of the year earliest before this is hashed out. Could be wrong though.

When does the current FAA spending bill expire?
There had been language allowing for 180 days after the bill was signed to allow the FAA to implement the change but I didn't see that in the section 330 amendment to the House bill which is where age 67 was added. I would expect something along those lines in the final version.
The 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act expires Sep 30 (end of FY2023). And the FAA Reauthorization Act has a LOT of spending in it so it's likely to get some attention before the end of this month since Congress will be on recess in August. There are a few issues that need to be ironed out before the Reauthorization Act is ready for prime time.

Sen Duckworth shut down the Senate Commerce Subcommittee and did not schedule further hearings after Sen Sinema pushed for lowering ATP training requirements in the June hearing. Here's Duckworth's 'blood on their hands' speech shortly after that hearing: https://www.c-span.org/video/?c50746...ad-blood-hands
For those keeping score of who's in the Commerce Subcommittee, it's 5D-5R-1I. Sinema was put on the subcommittee as a D and then went I but caucuses with the Ds. Schumer let her keep her committee assignments which is why she's still on the Commerce Subcommittee ... https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/...ocratic-party/
The dynamic of Sinema pushing for lowering ATP training minimums created a problem for Duckworth because Sinema could vote with the Rs and push the bill out of subcommittee over Duckworth and the Ds' objections. Duckworth responded by suspending all further action on the Reauthorization Act. Since it appears that Duckworth agreed to 67 in exchange for holding the line on ATP minimums, things should now move forward in the Senate Commerce Subcommittee.

While we here at APC are looking closely at retirement age and ATP minimums, these are very minor issues for the FAA Reauthorization Act. The big stuff are the projects (money) involved with the Act along with the perimeter rule/flights out of DCA. The DCA issue got more complicated now that Sen Manchin has weighed in opposing additional flights out of DCA. Until Manchin voiced opposition, I had expected an increase in DCA flights. Now, I suspect there will be a lot of political skirmishes on this issue and will probably stay status quo (no additional flights). The losers in the DCA flights will probably see additional money thrown at their district/state. (Rep Chip Roy R-TX is wants more flights out of DCA).

Here's a very good summary of where things stand on the Reauthorization Act: https://www.politico.com/newsletters...unway-00106441

Note that the Politico summary stated that Buttegeig declined to comment on raising pilot retirement age. Previously, he had been the administration's moutpiece opposing age 67. That's a noticeable shift for Buttegeig.

And then yesterday we got a blast email from ALPA asking everyone to let their congresscritters know we oppose age 67. It looks like a last ditch hail mary before ALPA changes its stance in August during the Congressional recess IF it's clear that the age will change.

If the political winds change on this, I'll be happy to post new information. However, at this point it appears that age 67 will be attached to both the House and Senate versions of the FAA Reauthorization Act.
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