davetheflyer
New Member
The Senate is about to take up the FAA Reathorization Bill and Sen. Inhofe will add an amendment that will immediately raise the airline retirement age to 63, then 66.
I have mixed emotions about this. First, this would slow movement of major airline pilots and fewer jobs would be created at those companies. Second, for pilots currently on furlough, it might have the effect of extending their unemployment for the same reason.
Additionally, there is the question of what would happen to pilots already retired, but younger than 63. Would they come back to work with their old seniority numbers? If so, that might mean more furloughs.
On the other hand, if were a pilot at 59 who was not ready to retire (maybe I need another couple of years to build a retirement nest egg or maybe I just love my job), I would think that it is extremely unfair to mandate a younger retirement age than for other industries. Especially when the younger age is strictly arbitrary and without a shred of evidence that it enhances safety.
ALPA's position is that the retirement age should stay at age 60. I find this somewhat ironic since it seems that ALPA would most likely side with their very senior members (of whose salaries 2% is a very large amount).
So I havn't made up my mind yet. If you feel strongly either way, feel free to contact your representatives regarding the Inhofe pilot retirement amendment to S.824.
I have mixed emotions about this. First, this would slow movement of major airline pilots and fewer jobs would be created at those companies. Second, for pilots currently on furlough, it might have the effect of extending their unemployment for the same reason.
Additionally, there is the question of what would happen to pilots already retired, but younger than 63. Would they come back to work with their old seniority numbers? If so, that might mean more furloughs.
On the other hand, if were a pilot at 59 who was not ready to retire (maybe I need another couple of years to build a retirement nest egg or maybe I just love my job), I would think that it is extremely unfair to mandate a younger retirement age than for other industries. Especially when the younger age is strictly arbitrary and without a shred of evidence that it enhances safety.
ALPA's position is that the retirement age should stay at age 60. I find this somewhat ironic since it seems that ALPA would most likely side with their very senior members (of whose salaries 2% is a very large amount).
So I havn't made up my mind yet. If you feel strongly either way, feel free to contact your representatives regarding the Inhofe pilot retirement amendment to S.824.