On Deaf Ears …

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) has issued a statement condemning Congress’s passage of H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act.

Known informally as the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Bill, the legislation contemporaneously funds the FAA and sets the agency’s objectives over the coming five-years. In keeping with the five-year renewal timetable ascribed subject legislation, the reauthorization bill under which the FAA is currently operating was ratified in 2018 and expires 30 September 2023.

ALPA formerly disparaged H.R. 3935, setting forth the bill contained a poison-pill provision, which, if ratified by the Senate, could raise the compulsory retirement age for Part 121 airline pilots from 65 to 67-years.

ALPA’s statement read:

“As the world’s largest nongovernmental aviation safety organization, ALPA is committed to keeping flying safe. Unfortunately, H.R. 3935 as passed by the House will introduce new risk by raising the mandatory pilot retirement age.

“Raising the retirement age is not only a solution in search of a problem, but it is also a proposal that has not been studied or vetted by aviation safety experts—those upon whom we all rely to keep flying safe, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation, both of whom oppose a change for exactly this reason. Earlier this week, lawmakers even voted against allowing a full and open debate on the House floor, which would have let Americans learn about the risks being introduced to air travel. When people in Washington put personal or special interests ahead of the public interest, Americans lose, and bad public policy gets made.

“Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI-1), a former Northwest Airlines captain and retired U.S. Marine Corp lt. general and recognized aviation safety expert, said it best when he explained his ‘no’ vote on final passage of the FAA reauthorization bill:

‘The powers that be pulled out all the stops to silence dissent and shield the American public from a debate they know they can’t win.’

“The retirement age increase will upend union collective bargaining agreements, create training backlogs, and complicate airline flight operations. This is bad for unions, airlines, and passengers who will see additional delays and costs.

“As the Senate continues its FAA reauthorization deliberations, ALPA pilots and supporters will continue to push back against raising the airline pilot retirement age and similarly fight any attempts to weaken current pilot training requirements.”

Founded in 1931 and representing over 74,000 pilots in the employs of 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines, the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) is the world’s largest and most influential pilot union.

FMI: www.alpa.org