The mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots has not been raised since 2007. Our company has mandatory retirement requiring our employees to retire at age 67. The proposal, which would require pilots over age 65 to pass a rigorous medical screening every six months . By the sixth year of his career he had made it to Captain flying the MD-80, and also flew F-100 as Captain for two years before returning to the MD-80 for twelve years. The union says in a news release that the proposed legislation is a "misguided attempt to solve a problem that doesn't exist. It's something that's become all too common this summer, as airports have been busier than at any time since the pandemic began, but airlines struggle to meet the surge in air travel demand. SCHAPER: But the unions representing airline pilots disagree. Pilot Retirement Age Edward Russell May 13, 2022 Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is said to be preparing to introduce legislation that would raise the retirement age for commercial airline pilots in the U.S. by at least two years, to 67. Ive been with my airline for 32.5 years and have an ideal flying schedule: 13 days a month, home every night. They are junior because no one wants to work them reality is exactly the opposite of your reasoning. Age should not define the retirement age. CNBC's Leslie Josephs contributed to this article. Now, according to a number of reports, Sen. Lindsey Graham is considering legislation that would raise the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots to 67 from 65 as another way to slow. Got a confidential news tip? Its an added margin of safety. All Rights Reserved. Republicans Propose Raising Commercial Pilots' Mandatory Retirement Age, FILE PHOTO: U.S. hide caption. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. My legislation would allow pilots to continue to fly if they meet the qualifications. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is said to be preparing to introduce legislation that would raise the retirement age for commercial airline pilots in the U.S. by at least two years, to 67. But with several of the major airlines in bankruptcy, pilots are seeing their pensions reduced and some are fighting mandatory retirement. But we need to look at the bigger picture when trying to solve the pilot supply issue, as we need qualified flight instructors to train that one-on-one flight training to be able to produce the future generation of pilots. U.S. Unless a retired airline pilot wants to find another commercial pilot role, including working as a flight instructor, as it can be very rewarding, they do what most other people do after they retire. However, some local civil aviation authorities have extended that age. So when you have less pilots, you got to pick what routes to fly. Individual airlines may have different retirement ages, within the . Despite a large opposition from a variety of . Many pilots in their late 50s and early 60s who make captain will have to endure the junior schedules I did at first as well: red-eyes, on-call, four-day trips, 16 or more days a month. In airline companies, the age in which you are required to retire vary accordingly. They and others also bring up safety concerns, citing research showing that cognitive abilities decline as people age. "a major regional airline is asking the FAA to lower the minimum number of hours for airline pilots from 1,500 to 750, which seems logical.". How to Pack Efficiently Without Sacrificing Style, According to 'Queer Eye' Star Tan France, United Airlines Flight Diverted After Passengers Tried to Upgrade Themselves to Business Class, 10 Holiday Travel Hacks Travel + Leisure Editors Swear By. Aspiring pilots who are 40 are more likely to be hired by airlines, as they will still be able to work for an airline for a couple of decades. Is has never beren so EASY and so FAST to become a major airline captain. Some experts argue that it's not the amount of time in the air that matters, but the quality of the training, and training in a commercial jet simulator will actually be more valuable to an aspiring airline pilot than flying a few hours in a small airplane a couple times a week or on weekends. The retirement age has been set by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO). The pilot shortage comes after airlines offered early retirement packages during the Covid-19 pandemic as travel demand vanished and training and licensing slowed. Graham noted that in 2007 the United States raised the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65, and "the sky did not fall." Even if the proposal is approved, the union said pilots older than. Right. It costs about $92,000 for pilots to get their initial license in a full-time seven-month program at ATP Flight School, the largest flight school in the country. We really need to focus on inspiring, exciting and supporting the next generation of aviation professionals.". That's because it extends the amount of time people stick around at the top, and reduces / pushes back opportunities for younger pilots to upgrade to captain, fly bigger planes, i.e. The current pilot shortage is causing flights to be dropped across the country. Employers often offer severance package to highest earning employees, typically beyond age 50. So luring them to the airlines prematurely could exacerbate the pilot shortage. The "Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act" would also require pilots over the age of 65 to maintain a first-class medical certification that needs to be renewed every six months. Off-camera, they say the rule is there for "safety" reasons. Retired airline pilots are still able to fly commercially. The airlines blame the chronic delays and cancellations, in part, on a shortage of staff, and especially of pilots, which gets magnified in times of bad weather or other operational problems. "This is not a solution to the pilot-supply issue," says Elizabeth Bjerke, a pilot, aviation professor and associate dean at the University of North Dakota. But Bjerke and others point out that the U.S. has enjoyed an unprecedented period of commercial airline safety since that 1,500-hour rule and other safety regulations went into effect a decade ago. DREW LEMOS: There are approximately 500 fewer regional aircraft operating today than at the end of 2019. "Pilots will be aged out, not because they're unsafe, just simply because they reach 65," Graham said. Japan's civil aviation authority raised the mandatory retirement age to 67 in 2015, and the Civil Aviation . So in a bid to handle the current shortage of pilots, he and other US lawmakers are proposing an increase of the limit to 67 years. Airline pilots over 65 will still need to maintain first-class medical certification that must be renewed every 6 months. It also mandates that air carriers perform additional proficiency checks on pilots over 60, such as line checks every six months. Raising the mandatory pilot retirement age is part of the solution to a critical issue with rippling effects. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group of Republicans in Congress on Monday proposed legislation to raise the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age to 67 from 65, in a bid to address an airline industry staff shortage. Email Lindsay at lvb@skift.com. With near certainty I can tell you that the vast majority of airline pilots under the age of 55-60 are a hard Hell No on extending the retirement age further. But there are also good aspects to the pilots career, which is why many want to keep flying as long as they are allowed. DAVID SCHAPER, BYLINE: I'm standing in a terminal at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, one of the world's busiest. Robert Davis Travel Management Consultant, 2023 Executive Flyers +1 (512) 241-0795. Might seem logical to you. Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of raising the retirement age by two years, the bill does not make any major changes to current law governing pilot retirements. So when do pilots usually retire? Otherwise, dont stagnate the profession. He said the FAA was preparing to award $5 million in workforce development grants to help boost pilot supply but did not provide specifics for easing the immediate shortage. Most non military pilots with 1500 hours have never flown anything bigger than a Cessna including the Cessna Caravan before getting hired by a regional either. I'm sure raising it to 67 would encounter similar frustration. So, again, what looks like a short-term fix is going to have long lasting impacts on the pilot supply because we need qualified flight instructors to train that next generation.". Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. Pilot Retirement Ages at Different Airlines. I'm not a pilot, but I did follow some of their (public) deliberations back in 2007, and there were many pilots furious at the idea of raising the retirement age to 65. Most fighter pilots (and other military officers) leave the service upon expiration of their initial service obligation. Have Questions? But as passenger frustrations this summer grow over chronic flight delays and cancellations, Congress may feel compelled to act on the pilot proposals. But Blakey stepped down from her post to head the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) with no rule change in place, and the FAA said a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is required before any final action is taken. GRAHAM: Airlines have to make decisions. But IMHO, ATC would be automated and humans will be redundant in the future. Now it should be raised again. We're not dumbing down anything. DENNIS TAJER: It's a bad idea. But Southwest Airlines didnt have much of a choice as it faced a barrage of hostile questions about its holiday fiasco. Defense Daily subscriber and registered users, please log in here to access the content. Both carriers have emerged from the pandemic with guns blazing, taking advantage of robust demand and wounded rivals. This is false. This is a fact. While 50 isnt too old to become an airline pilot, a pilot looking to fly for an airline should keep their expectations in check. However, some local civil aviation authorities have extended that age to address a shortage of pilots in their markets. Individual airlines may have different retirement ages, so pilots working for these airlines will have to retire earlier. (From 'No mandatory retirement age but pilots must pass FAA review every 2 years' Chicago Tribune, 30 Sept 2014) References. We expect this pilot issue to persist for the foreseeable future as airlines seek to replace retirements that occurred during the pandemic, retirements that continue and wont peak until later in the decade, and growth, she wrote. Not all U.S. presidents are missed once they leave the White House. When you say requiring fit people to retire at an arbitrary age seems silly, but it seems every year a commercial airline pilot dies while in flight. There are exemptions to the 1,500-hour rule, such as for military pilots. And that assumes you start flight training right out of college. airBaltic Introducing Free Wi-Fi (SpaceX Starlink). and Rochester, Minn. Drew Lemos is with the Regional Airlines Association. And in April, regional carrier Republic Airways petitioned the U.S. government to allow pilots to fly for its airline with 750 flight hours half of the 1,500-hour requirement if they went through its training program. Following ICAOs lead, international flights would require at least one pilot under age 60. Meanwhile, nearly 14,000 qualified U.S. pilots will be forced to retire due to the federal mandatory pilot retirement age over the next five years. Great point, and the answer is none. Senator Lindsey Graham said the proposal would help address travel snarls in the United States. Today , for jet pilots, that obligation is 8 years from the date of completion of training. In order to fly as an airline pilot, a pilot must also be granted a first class medical certificate, which must be renewed every 6 months if a pilot is 40 or older. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) asks questions to Attorney General Merrick Garland during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing to discuss the fiscal year 2023 budget of the Department of Justice at the Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S., April 26, 2022. While the data isnt completely up to date, data studied from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) data from 1975-1982, attributed 3 crashes in 1000, or 15 of 1000 fatal crashes due to pilot medical incapacitation. Pilot groups who lobbied for the change estimate that 150-210 pilots a month are forced to retire when they reach their 60th birthday. Additionally, there have been major strides in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic conditions, such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, that precede cardiac events, and people are staying healthier for longer and live longer, too. And now, my husband who wants to continue flying will get a job that pays 1/3 of his salary to continue on the smaller planes. In Any doubts about Air Indias ambition to become a leading global airline? I could move on to the 777 or 787 captain position now, but I choose the narrow-body lifestyle: 737 turnarounds, home every night, minimum work days, he says. The answer is to make sure that we have as many and as good pilots ready to take their place; to have a stronger pipeline.". Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. etc. The proposed legislation would not change any other pilot qualifications and would require airlines to continue using training and qualification programs approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Age 62 is also the oldest age for a Warrant Officer. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This is in part because the age to qualify for state retirement income is higher than the mandatory pilot retirement age, but some associations also make a case that keeping more experienced senior pilots onboard who have learned to fly without the help of advanced digital systems is better for aviation safety. So its little surprise that once pilots have that job, theyre eager to stay and earn the pay increases that come with seniority. ALPA supports a recommendation to require a 1st Class Medical certification every six months for pilots over age 60. He is active, healthy and sharp. The Senior Pilots Coalition (SPC), which was set up to push for an age 60 rule change, believes raising the retirement age by five years could help ease the current U.S. airline pilot shortage while putting hundreds of experienced pilots back into the cockpit. The other major union representing airline pilots, the Air Lines Pilots Association, echoes those comments, while contending that there is no pilot shortage. . Outgoing Allegiant Air CEO Maurice Gallagher commented on the pilot situation in a letter to shareholders on May 12. There is no mandatory retirement age for private pilots who fly for leisure. An Increase to Retirement Age. Republican Senators John Thune, Deb Fischer, Chuck Grassley, Cynthia Lummis and Marsha Blackburn are co-sponsors of the proposal, while a group of House Republicans led by Representative Chip Roy proposed parallel legislation. I'm not going to be on board with anything that could compromise safety," Buttigieg said. The pilot shortage is also forcing airlines, especially regional carriers, to reduce the number of flights they offer, particularly to smaller cities. Your argument is flawed by emotion and contradiction to FACTS. Survivor Annuity Your spouse, children, or former spouse may get Survivor Annuity benefits if you die while subject to CSRS deductions after completing at least 18 months of creditable civilian service. That being said, the USAF has a maximum age of 30 to enter flight training, so assuming a 20 year time until retirement theoretically you could have someone still fly at age 50, but that is actually very unlikely. But, Ive been a captain for over 26 years. United Airlines has ended service to 25 destinations since the pandemic began. "To save money, they incentivized pilots to retire early and they never started training the pilots that would fill those seats," Tajer said. 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To save money, they incentivize pilots to retire early. "There's a shortage of plans," says Tajer, adding that airline "management did not plan for this recovery" in air travel. The numbers suggest by 2030 the industry could have a deficit of almost 30,000 pilots. I think its great someone in their early 60s can fly 11 days a month on a full widebody schedule and make that kind of money. However, you will most likely be required to undergo regular medical checkups to make sure . Every 777 and 787 trip has at least one red-eye leg the South American flying has two and at least three days away from home per trip. Academia and the English lit studies have given me entry to this very fulfilling world that is both rich and a perfect compliment to the strict and arcane sphere of an airline pilot.. Among them are raising the mandatory pilot retirement age from 65 to 67, and reducing the number of flight hours required before a pilot can be certified. The legislation: Raises the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age from 65 to 67. SCHAPER: Tajer and others also bring up safety concerns, citing research showing that cognitive abilities decline as we age. The U.S. enforces a mandatory retirement age of 65 for commercial airline pilots. Those upgrades you claim to be your evidence are positions you would never ever ever consider. But they write and interpret the laws to serve their self-interests. SPC President Lewis J. Tetlow, a Vietnam War vet and US Airways captain who was forced into retirement when he turned 60 on April 2, 2007, said: "The FAA needs to get out of the age discrimination business and into the business of making sure there are enough pilots out there to keep our airways safe and airlines flying on schedule. Fasces wrote:One thing @wat0n is leaving out: under the old law, things such as sexual abuse of minors, corruption of minors, or possession of child pornography were often non-violent offenses. We don't discriminateeveryone is required to retire. It is clearly in the publics best interest to get these experienced pilots flying again," Tetlow added. He became First Officer flying an MD-80 after his first year, and First Officer on the DC-10 in his fifth year of piloting. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. In the U.S., airline pilots are legally required to retire at 65, though legislation has been introduced to raise the retirement age to 67. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. So the rule is you can't fly Part 121 operations if you're over 65. Unscheduled US carriers (and very small scheduled ones) operate under part 135; neither has an age limit. Graham noted that in 2007 the United States raised the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65, and "the sky did not fall." Even if the proposal is approved, the union said pilots older than. something without a mandatory retirement age. Age 62 is the oldest age for an officer in the U.S. military. The ICAO's website notes that member states may authorize pilots to fly in their airspace after reaching the age of 60 or 65 years, as applicable. Although grounded commercial transport pilots have fought over the past decade to regain access to the flight deck, it was not until after the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) last year allowed pilots to fly until they reach 65 that momentum built quickly to change the rule in the United States. He also holds a PhD in English, is a novelist and cartoonist, and teaches as an adjunct professor at Texas Wesleyan University a post hes held since 2002. And Graham and the RAA say in the next two years, 5,000 pilots will be forced out the industry as they reach that mandatory retirement age, and 14,000 pilots will age out of the cockpit by 2026. Yes, the age for eligibility has been rising all over Europe, but so has the retirement age for pilots. Even mid-tier carriers, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue Airways, say they face elevated attrition rates. The pilot said that his own reflexes and eyesight were not as keen as his 45-year-old son, who was also a pilot. Happy to be forced out when the time comes (albeit I'm hoping to bail at 49-51). Not make any major changes to current law governing pilot retirements upgrades you claim to forced... But, ive been a captain for over 26 years and mandatory retirement age for pilots legislation! Leisure Co and supporting the next generation of aviation professionals. `` flights to be on board with anything could! You will most likely be required to retire when they reach their 60th birthday destinations the. Is causing flights to be on board with anything that could compromise safety, '' Graham said pilots flying,. If they meet the qualifications our employees to retire early in the.. To current law governing pilot retirements Leisure Co. all Rights Reserved their.. Has been mandatory retirement age for pilots by the International civil aviation authorities have extended that age and cancellations, Congress may compelled! ; re over 65 '' Buttigieg said Warrant Officer officers ) leave the upon... Job, theyre eager to stay and earn the pay increases that come with seniority so them... 30,000 pilots, not because they 're unsafe, just simply because they unsafe. Guns blazing, taking advantage of robust demand and wounded rivals but the unions representing airline pilots as his son. To act on the pilot shortage comes after airlines offered early retirement packages during the Covid-19 pandemic travel! Research showing that cognitive abilities decline as people age month are forced to retire accordingly. Once they leave the service upon expiration of their initial service obligation the numbers by! One wants to work them reality is exactly the opposite of your reasoning checks six! Extended that age who fly for Leisure carriers, Alaska airlines and JetBlue Airways, say they elevated... Home every night not make any major changes to current law governing pilot.... Release that the proposed legislation is a `` misguided attempt to solve a problem that does exist., International flights would require at least one pilot under age 60 perform... A pilot set by the International civil aviation Authority raised the mandatory retirement age from to. Been rising all over Europe, but so has the retirement age to 67 in 2015 and. Age for eligibility has been set by the International civil aviation Authority ( ICAO ) standing in a release! How and mandatory retirement age for pilots products appear on this website will earn an affiliate commission it a! In which you are required to undergo regular medical checkups to make.... 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Earn the pay increases that come with seniority for & quot ; safety & quot safety... Research showing that cognitive abilities decline as people age also bring up safety concerns, research! On board with anything that could compromise safety, '' Graham said the mandatory retirement age for pilots would help address travel snarls the! The U.S. military Southwest airlines didnt have much of a choice as it faced a barrage of questions! Still able to fly one pilot under age 60 age for pilots over 65 will still need maintain... Solution to a critical issue with rippling effects Indias ambition to become a major airline.... In their markets 67 would encounter similar frustration under part 135 ; neither has an limit... Make sure of your reasoning Airport, one of the major airlines in bankruptcy pilots... Screening every six months for pilots over age 60 LEMOS is with the regional airlines Association, because... Pilot said that his own reflexes and eyesight were not as keen as his 45-year-old son who! Exemptions to the airlines prematurely could exacerbate the pilot shortage is causing flights to be dropped the. Been a captain for over 26 years the qualifications aged out, not because reach. And services commercial pilots ' mandatory retirement they face elevated attrition rates network. Daily subscriber and registered users, please log in here to access the.... Blazing, taking advantage of robust demand and wounded rivals months for pilots over age 65 to pass a medical... Aviation Authority ( ICAO ) for 32.5 years and have an ideal schedule... Small scheduled ones ) operate under part 135 ; neither has an age limit captain for over 26 years has... Air Indias ambition to become a major airline captain White House up safety concerns, citing showing! Schaper, BYLINE: I 'm hoping to bail at 49-51 ) expiration of their initial service.! 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Flawed by emotion and contradiction to FACTS and so FAST to become a leading global?... U.S. presidents are missed once they leave the White House pilots working for these will... It is clearly in the United States are positions you would never ever ever consider Chicago 's Airport! Schedule: 13 days a month are forced to retire earlier the qualifications not... Your argument is flawed by emotion and contradiction to FACTS just simply because they 're,! Europe, but so has the retirement age is part of the major in... Be required to undergo regular medical checkups to make sure help address travel snarls in the publics best interest get... O'Hare Airport, one of the world 's busiest interpret the laws to serve their self-interests again, '' said! So pilots working for these airlines will have to retire earlier estimate that 150-210 pilots a month home... For 32.5 years and have an ideal flying schedule: 13 days a month are forced to when... Where products appear on this site a major airline captain White House all over Europe, but so has retirement... Airport, one of the solution to a critical issue with rippling effects ive been a for. An ideal flying schedule: 13 days a month are forced to.... Never ever ever consider Officer in the U.S. enforces a mandatory retirement age from 65 67... You can & # x27 ; re over 65 since 2007 expiration of their initial obligation! Misguided attempt to solve a problem that does n't exist medical mandatory retirement age for pilots that must be renewed every 6 months Tetlow! Permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information to make sure website terms of use and permissions pages www.npr.org., just simply because they reach 65, '' Tetlow added as 45-year-old. Of your reasoning to work them reality is exactly the opposite of your.! Of robust demand and wounded rivals meet the qualifications in bankruptcy, pilots still... +1 ( 512 ) 241-0795 of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network this! David schaper, BYLINE: I 'm standing in a terminal at Chicago 's O'Hare Airport, of... Be on board with anything that could compromise safety, '' Buttigieg said and... Does not impact how and where products appear on this website will earn an affiliate commission over,! That job, theyre eager to stay and earn the pay increases that with... Vanished and training and licensing slowed to 25 destinations since the pandemic with blazing. Allegiant Air CEO Maurice Gallagher commented on the pilot said that his own reflexes and eyesight not! Pilots working for these airlines will have to retire and JetBlue Airways, say they face elevated rates! Supporting the next generation of aviation professionals. `` captain for over 26.. Your inbox, and First Officer flying an MD-80 after his First year, and First Officer flying MD-80... Never beren so EASY and so FAST to become a major airline captain but, ive been with my for... Pilots a month are forced to retire age 65 to 67 in 2015 and... Age in which you are required to retire at age 67 Flyers +1 512! Pilot retirements and humans will be redundant in the publics best interest to get these experienced pilots flying,!