Originally Posted by
bugman61
My guess is the letter ensures that the senate committee doesn’t pass the Blackburn amendment to include age 67 in the reauthorization this week. It also gives cover to supporters of the standalone LEPF act to not fight to add it in the full senate.
A floor amendment is certainly still possible, or an agreement in conference, but it seems far less likely than 24 hours ago.
I don't think the letter matters much, nobody cares what auto workers think about pilot age. It's a data point, and may bring some attention to the issue.
Originally Posted by
Me103
I would say it's not the FAA letter, but this quote that's the death knell:
"When it comes to raising the pilot retirement age, the FAA has made clear that a scientific and safety analysis must come first. That has not happened. Aviation safety is paramount, and now is not the time to take a shortcut," said Senator Maria Cantwell, the committee chair.
Not a death knell, but another data point.
If the Senate passes the reauth without 67, it still has to go to committee with the house.
Senate sending it without age 67 to make a point is one thing, and fairly routine.
Senate trading something valuable with the house to get 67 removed from the HR is a different thing.
Senate refusing to pass the reauth over 67 is another thing entirely.
My guess is making a point, everybody in the labor union corner is getting their sound bite in. Committee is where they'll have to put their money where their mouth is. We'll know shortly.