Would Allowing Airline Pilots To Fly Until 67 Be a Mistake?

A veteran airline pilot says the ‘Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act’ may create more problems than it solves.

Thursday, August 04, 2022 at 06:56 AM ET

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Older airline pilots experience more medical issues that don’t necessarily challenge their daily lives but may keep them out of the cockpit, says veteran airline pilot Les Abend. [Photo: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Proposed legislation, the "Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act," aims to raise the mandatory pilot retirement age from 65 to 67 to address perceived pilot shortages and flight disruptions.
The article argues this is a problematic solution, as older pilots tend to experience more medical issues leading to cockpit absences, and many international aviation rules prohibit pilots over 65 from flying internationally.
Raising the age would create significant logistical challenges for airlines by disrupting existing flight pairings, potentially forcing senior pilots into less desirable domestic roles, and exacerbating existing training bottlenecks.
The real issue is attributed to airlines' failure to anticipate and recover from post-pandemic demand, rather than a fundamental pilot shortage, with the proposed age change likely to disincentivize experienced pilots.

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No doubt, the flying public is frustrated with enduring the extraordinary volume of cancellations and flight delays. Mainstream media has certainly shone a spotlight on the situation, giving additional anxiety to those who are still formulating their travel plans.

Fingers have pointed at the “pilot shortage,” as a major factor. In that regard, on July 25, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) introduced the “Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act,” which would increase the mandatory airline pilot retirement age from 65 to 67.