Last week, when Billy's long-time friend Chuck Corder retired from Southwest Airlines, we got to see first hand what happens when an airline pilot retires. Chuck and his wife Cheryl have been my husband’s close friends since they lived next to one another in south Plano almost 30 years ago. They became my friends when we married.
We were excited when Billy got the call from Cheryl that we were invited to participate in the festivities. It meant we would join 17 of Chuck and Cheryl's family and friends as passengers on Chuck's final, Southwest Airlines flight as Captain. We had no idea what to expect but it was an experience we’ll never forget.
Federal aviation regulations mandate an airline pilot’s retirement at age 60. Since Chuck’s birthday was Tuesday, Dec. 4, Monday was the last day he could legally fly as pilot for a common airline carrier, although he can still fly for private charter companies.
We met Chuck in the waiting area at Love Field for gate No. 7 about 90 minutes before our scheduled flight to Amarillo. Chuck was in his dark blue pilot’s uniform set off with captain’s bars. It was clear that Chuck was the star for the day by the way so many people stopped to shake his hand.
Finally it was time to board, and for the first time in our lives, we got to pre-board. The attendant at the microphone asked for the crowd’s indulgence as the pilot’s family went in to take their seats. It was explained that this would be a special flight because their pilot would be taking his final flight before retiring.
Our group took seats closest to the pilot’s cabin. We wanted our pilot to hear us cheering which we did on take offs, landings and every time we heard his voice on the intercom. The flight itself was fairly uneventful. It was a beautiful day for flying.
When we left the Amarillo terminal, turning back to the runway to head to Dallas, the airport fire engines formed a water arch over our plane to honor our retiring pilot. The same thing happened in Dallas as our plane taxied from the runway to the terminal.
It was great fun watching Chuck get the rock-star treatment from Southwest Airlines and there was more in store. When passengers deplaned, our group waited to go last and then we lined the corridor just outside the aircraft door joining Southwest personnel and others who knew Chuck who were already there. When Chuck finally emerged, there was applause all around. Everyone wanted to shake his hand and let him know how special he is.
The forced retirement of our country’s pilots is a hot issue today. During a time the demand for airline pilots is not being met, the sense in forcing experience out of the workplace when they don’t want to go seems like a waste and the consumer will likely pay, at least through inconveniences.
In January, after a fight that’s lasted more than 40 years, the Federal Aviation Administration said it will propose to raise the mandatory retirement age for U.S. commercial pilots from 60 to 65. It was considered a huge victory for pilots.
“Speaking before pilots and aviation experts at the National Press Club, FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey said that the agency plans to propose adopting the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard that allows one pilot to be up to age 65 provided the other pilot is under age 60. The international standard became effective last year.” reported Seniorjournal.com.
But, so far, there’s not been much progress on the battle to make the change and pilot’s, like Chuck Corder, are being forced out. Also, airlines and their consumers are loosing veteran pilots with years of experience. The growing shortage of pilots is placing pressure on airlines as baby boomer pilots are forced out while fewer young people are coming in.
With salaries and benefits in decline for airline pilots and U.S. carriers also strugggle againt strong competition for young recruits from the military and from overseas airlines. It seems inequitable that the international rules allow pilots, age 60 to 65, to fly into U.S. airports as long as one on the pilots is younger than 60 but U.S. pilots are not allowed the same privilege.
Airline Pilots Against Age Discrimination have led the charge from a grassroots level to see change in a rule that’s been in place for 47 years. Paul D. Emens, chairman and founder of APAAD says the rule was the result of a labor dispute and it’s long past time for the rule to be revised. Forty-seven years ago was the beginning of the jet age and much has changed since that time.
Attempts were made in 2006 to make changes in the age 60 rule through legislation but it never came to a vote. In 2007, new legislation (S.65) has already been created with Senators Inhofe (R), Lieberman (D), Stevens (R) and Feingold (D) as the lead sponsors.
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