Vote Comes One Day After House Approves Separate Provision

Sometimes, the Senate CAN act quickly. One day after the House of Representatives unanimously approved a measure increasing the mandatory retirement age for US commercial pilots to 65, the Senate voted its approval for the legislation as well... sending the bill to the president's desk.

As ANN reported, Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar -- sponsor of the "Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act" -- pulled the measure from the broader FAA Reauthorization Act, which Congress passed in September, when it became clear the Senate wasn't going to act on its version of FAA reauthorization before the end of the year.

If signed into law by President Bush, the legislation will update a 1960 FAA ruling forcing pilots from the cockpit at age 60. The measure would bring US standards into compliance with international regulations; the International Civil Aviation Organization adopted the age 65 retirement standard in November 2006.

Under the bill, pilots who choose to fly commercially past age 60 will need to have their medical certificates renewed every six months under the measure, according to The Associated Press, and submit to a line check twice a year. They'll also need to participate in additional training and qualification programs.

Flights departing US airports for foreign destinations would require at least one pilot under the age of 60, if a pilot between 60-65 is also part of the flight crew.

Pilots who celebrate their 60th birthdays before Age 65 becomes law are out of luck, as airlines won't be required to hire them back if the measure goes into effect. If they want to keep flying, those pilots will need to reapply for their jobs, and start at the bottom of the seniority scale... a provision that all-but guarantees those pilots will opt to seek employment elsewhere.

FMI: http://thomas.loc.gov/, www.senate.gov, www.icao.int