Our Washington correspondent reports from the Senate Gallery
Jun 15, 2003
Author: Captain John Adams

Herb Jeneskens (SWA) and I were on the hill today doing some last minute visits to Senators offices. We saw on TV that McCain was introducing FAA Reauth so we hightailed it to the Senate Gallary to watch. They were discussing other issues, so Herb and I left to see a fence sitter (Bunning R-KY). After our visit, Herb had to leave and I went back to the gallary just in time for Senator Inhofe to get up and introduce our amendment.
What transpired from my eyes follows:
1. Inhofe makes opening remarks with a bit of history of his piloting exploits and the Age 60 Rule. ALPA money only reason the rule still stands. Yields to Dems. Dorgan (D-ND) speaks against bill. Must leave to FAA. They know best. Congress should not be changing their rules. Many medical studies. If it was safe, they would change it. (By the way, there are only about three senators in the chamber during this "debate". ie votes are already decided). Cites NIH/NIA studies. Inhofe counters with agencies such as FAA must be prodded to change. Cites better health in general and pilots in particular. Age 60 in 1960 = age 72 today. Safety is NOT the issue. Inhofe is quite eloquent at this point. At this point, McCain speaks enthuiastically FOR change. A bit of humor, a sarcastic cut at ALPA money and woefully inadequate manangments are in the halls right now buying--(he didn't use the word, but it was implied) votes. Experienced pilots are better pilots. McCain mentions SWAPA, SWA and jetBlue by name as supporting and points out that if those successful organizations are for it -- "it's a no-brainer" his exact words. LOTT of Miss gets up (remember, he is a Republican and chair of Aviation subcommittee) and speaks AGAINST the bill citing safety. (We WILL check the records and see how much it took to buy him off.)
Inhofe ends with pointing out the it is NOT about safety or anything else but economics of younger pilots wanting to advance and airlines not wanting to pay older pilots their salaries.
Vote called. Twenty minutes of writing down every vote. Flurry at end.
Notable: Against: Dole (R-NC), Snowe (R-Maine), Lott (R-MS). Sarbanes (D-MD) Mikulski (D-MD) Clinton (D-NY) (We had been led to believe Dems above were voting yes. HOW does Dole vote no???????
This was VERY close. Jeffords (I-VT) and three Republicans didn't vote. We will check out why, but it didn't matter because three Republicans caused us to LOSE.
Final Vote tally: 52-46.
Big (AFL-CIO) was called in late to save the day (on Clinton, Sarbanes, and Mikulski) Dems who were sideing with us -----before money talked. We will also continue to work on changing ALPA policy--an uphill battle, but we will continue the fight.
I recommend HIGHLY that each and every one of us email the following and thank them for their strong support.

1. Senator James Inhofe/ http://inhofe.senate.gov/contactus.htm

2. Senator John McCain/ john_mccain@mccain.senate.gov

3. Senator John Breaux/ senator@breaux.senate.gov