Letter to Senator Grassley January 2000
Apr 18, 2003
Author: Paul Emens

The United States Senate
SH-135

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Grassley,

One year ago you wrote a letter to Senator McCain. In that letter you called for amendment to the so-called Age 60 Rule wherein this nation’s airline pilots are forced to retire at the age of 60, regardless of medical or professional competency.

Our group has grown. The pilots of PAAD (Pilots Against Age Discrimination) is a federation of like-minded pilot groups, individual pilots and entities who believe forcing a citizen’s retirement based solely on an arbitrary chronological age is just plain wrong. Hopefully, this group will grow and with its growth will come the ability to make ourselves heard.

But we need help.

Senator Frank Murkowski has sponsored a bill (S. 1855) whose goal is to repeal the Age 60 Rule.

PAAD asks that you support Senator Murkowski through a letter to Senator John McCain. Apparently Senator McCain is considering hearings on the growing pilot shortage. The Age 60 Rule is inextricably linked to that shortage. A nudge from you may help move things in the right direction.

Ms. Donna Murray is the contact in Senator Murkowski’s office.

PAAD would also ask for an open letter from you stating your belief, as you did last year, that the rule "has outlived any utility it may have initially had." Such a letter could be posted on our web site and publicized through our contacts with the AARP, passenger rights associations, etc.

We thank you in advance for any help you might be to us.

Sincerely yours,

Paul Emens, Chairman