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Internet Travel Monitor - Events & Legislation
December 19, 2007
Pilots Split on Retirement-Age Boost
FORT WORTH, TX – At age 59, American Airlines pilot Bill Barzelay is rapidly approaching mandatory retirement age, but he just doesn't feel ready for a slower lifestyle.
"The thought of staying home and playing golf all the time just isn't that appealing," he said. "I'd just as soon keep flying."
The pilot, who flies from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and lives in Colleyville, may get his wish. A bill approved by Congress late Tuesday would raise the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots to 65 from 60. The change would bring the United States in line with international rules, which were changed last year to allow pilots to fly until age 65.
The bill, which President Bush is expected to sign, could have implications for airline operations, costs and retirement benefits. It's also a mixed bag for pilots; although it allows work, and earnings, to extend an additional five years, it could also slow career advancement for younger pilots and lower the number of available jobs.
The measure was supported by Dallas-based Southwest Airlines and the union that represents its pilots. It was opposed by American Airlines, based in Fort Worth, and its pilots union.
"We supported our pilots' position on this, but Congress has spoken, and we'll comply with the law," said Jeff Brundage, American's senior vice president of human resources. He said the airline has been evaluating the implications of the change, and that "we don't see that it will cause any immediate upheaval."
Lloyd Hill, president of the Allied Pilots Association, which represents American's pilots, sent a letter to Bush on Thursday asking for a veto.
"Mandatory age 60 retirement for our nation's commercial airline pilots has proven to be a highly effective safety regulation since its establishment in 1959," he wrote. He said that the union's members had opposed the change by a 7-1 margin.
Southwest's pilots praised the bill's passage.
"Experience counts," said Carl Kuwitzky, a Southwest pilot and president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association.
"This legislation will enhance safety by ensuring that we keep our most experienced pilots flying longer."
In a statement, Kuwitzky said that the measure levels the international playing field, because "pilots over 60 years of age working for foreign carriers have been able to fly in U.S. airspace, a privilege that has been denied to the most experienced American pilots."
Bill Schwetke, a Baltimore-based Southwest pilot, said he narrowly escaped a forced retirement. He turns 60 Jan. 1.
"I'm definitely not ready to retire, and so I'm looking forward to another five years at Southwest Airlines," Schwetke said.
The bill would require pilots older than 60 to fly with younger co-pilots on international routes. That will make scheduling a bit more complicated for airlines, like American, that have large international networks.
The change in retirement age could also soften the impact of a growing pilot shortage nationwide.
Copyright 2007 Star-Telegram Operating, Ltd. All rights
reserved. From http://www.star-telegram.com. By Trebor Banstetter.
To view the Internet Travel Monitor Archive, click http://www.tripinfo.com/ITM/index.html.
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