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:

The "Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act" proposes raising the mandatory pilot retirement age from 65 to 67 to address flight cancellations and a perceived pilot shortage.
However, the article argues this solution is problematic due to older pilots facing increased medical issues and international aviation rules that limit flights to age 65, creating significant operational complexities for U.S. carriers.
Extending the retirement age could force senior pilots off international routes, potentially leading to demotions, pay cuts, and discouraging them from staying, while also creating costly training bottlenecks for the airline system.
Critics suggest the actual problem lies with airlines failing to anticipate demand and that long-term solutions should focus on improving the pipeline for new pilots to gain necessary experience.

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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.