As citizens, we have have the opportunity to voice our opinions on election day. We all have different 'hot button' issues. While I don't expect anyone to decide how to vote on a single issue, we all need to weigh our decisions.
For pilots, one of the 'hot button' issues is the age 60 rule. Here is a post from another board:
Here's some interesting news regarding the dreaded age 60 legislation from CAL ALPA's Congressional Liason via the ACP in EWR:
I have gotten some new information about the age 65 legislation from Mike Coffield who is our Congressional Liaison and very knowledgeable of the inner workings of Congress. There has been much speculation that on Nov 23rd that Congress would approve the age 65 legislation. I was one of those who was under that impression. But according to Mike, the amendment is only attached to the Senate bill which is attached to the Transportation Funding Legislation. It is not a part of the House version of the bill. If it passes the Senate, it would have to go back to committee for a compromise bill which could eliminate the age 65 legislation or even rewrite the whole bill. His feeling is that if it passes that it would not be until about the summer of 2007 before it will be in place. The FAA has already established an ARC (Rule Change Committee) to determine if the rule is to be changed exactly how it would be worded. It is very unusual for this committee to meet before being directed by Congress which has led many (including myself) to believe that they were shooting for a Nov 23 implementation date. The significance of Nov 23 is that is when ICAO starts allowing age 65 pilots to fly worldwide, including flying into the US. There has been some pressure on Congress to give our pilots the same right. However the ARC which is attempting to put together the new ruling (if it comes to pass) has not been making much progress, in fact there have been heated discussions and they are not even remotely close to any agreement.
Then there is the political side of the Issue. If the Republicans can keep control of the House, Mike feels that the legislation will pass and be implemented next summer. If the Democrats win control of the House, then all the Committee Chairs will change and this legislation will be pushed back and probably tabled to a later date, perhaps some time next year. So as you can see, there is more uncertainty to the passage of this bill than was originally thought. I will keep you posted as more information becomes available.
For those who want a change in the age 60 rule, I recommend that you consider voting GOP. For those who want the age 60 rule to stay in place, I recommend that you consider voting Dem. Whatever you do, vote.
For pilots, one of the 'hot button' issues is the age 60 rule. Here is a post from another board:
Here's some interesting news regarding the dreaded age 60 legislation from CAL ALPA's Congressional Liason via the ACP in EWR:
I have gotten some new information about the age 65 legislation from Mike Coffield who is our Congressional Liaison and very knowledgeable of the inner workings of Congress. There has been much speculation that on Nov 23rd that Congress would approve the age 65 legislation. I was one of those who was under that impression. But according to Mike, the amendment is only attached to the Senate bill which is attached to the Transportation Funding Legislation. It is not a part of the House version of the bill. If it passes the Senate, it would have to go back to committee for a compromise bill which could eliminate the age 65 legislation or even rewrite the whole bill. His feeling is that if it passes that it would not be until about the summer of 2007 before it will be in place. The FAA has already established an ARC (Rule Change Committee) to determine if the rule is to be changed exactly how it would be worded. It is very unusual for this committee to meet before being directed by Congress which has led many (including myself) to believe that they were shooting for a Nov 23 implementation date. The significance of Nov 23 is that is when ICAO starts allowing age 65 pilots to fly worldwide, including flying into the US. There has been some pressure on Congress to give our pilots the same right. However the ARC which is attempting to put together the new ruling (if it comes to pass) has not been making much progress, in fact there have been heated discussions and they are not even remotely close to any agreement.
Then there is the political side of the Issue. If the Republicans can keep control of the House, Mike feels that the legislation will pass and be implemented next summer. If the Democrats win control of the House, then all the Committee Chairs will change and this legislation will be pushed back and probably tabled to a later date, perhaps some time next year. So as you can see, there is more uncertainty to the passage of this bill than was originally thought. I will keep you posted as more information becomes available.
For those who want a change in the age 60 rule, I recommend that you consider voting GOP. For those who want the age 60 rule to stay in place, I recommend that you consider voting Dem. Whatever you do, vote.
