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

The United States Senate
SR-241

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator McCain,

The pilots of PAAD are seeking redress from what we view as an arbitrary intrusion of government into the lives of working citizens. Specifically, we view the so-called Age 60 Rule as discrimination based on age.

Contrary to some groups who might say otherwise, this nation’s pilots are not united behind the present rule. There are thousands of us who have one simple wish – to continue in our profession if we are medically and professionally qualified.

We know that we have powerful opponents, primarily some large labor groups who do not wish to "rock the boat", primarily with regard to their pension plans. However, we do not feel that we should be held hostage to their concerns. We, too, have concerns.

Where would this country be if the status quo were always maintained because changing it might make some people uncomfortable? Be it gender, race or age – discrimination is wrong.

There are many concerns within the aviation community at this time: A growing pilot shortage, the concurrent lowering of pilot hiring qualifications, and a shortage of pilots at the regional carrier level; a military retention (readiness) problem wherein our Air Force and Navy are not reaching their staffing goals.

You yourself said this at a Senate hearing: "One obvious way to increase experience levels of cockpit crews would be to increase the discriminatory maximum age for pilots, which is limited by the ‘Age 60 Rule’".

We could not agree more.

The pilots of PAAD are a federation of like-mind groups and individuals. This is our year to spread our wings, to make ourselves heard.

We call on you, as a natural ally, to:

1. Clearly call for hearings on this issue,

2. Support S. 1855, and

3. Without equivocation, to declare the Age 60 Rule to be ripe for change.

Your answer to this communication will be distributed to our membership and beyond.

Sincerely yours,

Paul D. Emens, Chairman