Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act
Sen. Graham and Sen. Kelly Introduce the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act to Raise Pilot Retirement Age
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It has been sent to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for review. No further actions are scheduled at this time.
Legislative Progress
This bill has support from both parties and addresses a major travel issue, but it faces strong pushback from some pilot unions and safety advocates.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Airline pilot unions would need to negotiate new contract terms to comply with the raised retirement age. While some senior pilots would benefit from extended careers, younger union members could see slower career advancement as older pilots stay in higher-paying captain seats longer. The bill protects collective bargaining by requiring any labor agreement changes to be negotiated between airlines and pilot unions rather than imposed unilaterally.
“Any amendment to a labor agreement or benefit plan of an air carrier that is required to conform with the requirements of this section or a regulation issued to carry out this section, and is applicable to pilots represented for collective bargaining, shall be made by agreement of the air carrier and the designated bargaining representative of the pilots of the air carrier.”
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
2 articlesSenate deal on FAA bill omits pilot retirement age hike
Congressional leaders announced a bipartisan agreement on a five-year FAA reauthorization bill that leaves out a contentious provision to raise the pilot retirement age. The decision follows intense lobbying from pilot unions who argued the change would create international scheduling chaos.
House Republican to introduce bill to raise pilot retirement age
Rep. Chip Roy and Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act to raise the federal mandatory retirement age for airline pilots to 67. Supporters argue the move is necessary to keep qualified aviators in the cockpit and mitigate flight delays caused by a pilot shortage.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.