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CCH® HR MANAGEMENT — 12/26/07

Mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots raised from age 60 to 65

Just one day after the US House of Representatives passed the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act (H.R. 4343) by a unanimous vote of 390-0, which would raise the mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots from age 60 to 65, the US Senate approved the same legislation by unanimous consent. The very next day the bill was signed by President Bush and became Public Law 110-135. The Air Line Pilots Association had urged President Bush to sign the bill quickly.

While the bill would increase the mandatory retirement age for pilots, it would not increase the retirement age retroactively for pilots who have already turned 60. In addition, the legislation provides for additional medical and training requirements for pilots ages 60 through 65 to address any possible safety concerns. Of note, in November 2006, the International Civil Aviation Organization adopted the age 65 retirement standard.

"Lifting the age 60 retirement is the right thing to do," said Representative Tom Petri (R-Wis), the Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Republican and a cosponsor of H.R. 4343. "A lot has changed since the mandatory retirement age was set nearly 50 years ago, and we know that these pilots can continue to fly and safely serve the public. By raising the retirement age to 65, we will be consistent with international standards set last year, so our US pilots will not be penalized. Age 60 impacts more and more pilots with each passing day, and we must act now to end the devastating effect of needless forced retirement on these men and women."

Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Haw), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, said forcing pilots to retire at 65 is "out-of-date and only succeeds in removing our most experienced pilots from our skies."

Representative John L. Mica (R-Fla), ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, added, "We cannot afford to lose any more of these highly skilled professionals to an arbitrary and outdated retirement policy."

For additional information on this and other HR topics, consult CCH Human Resources Management or Personnel Practices/Communications.

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