In a legal showdown filled with turbulence, a group representing seasoned pilots has taken flight against the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), alleging a breach of duty in its opposition to a proposed law aimed at lifting the mandatory retirement age for pilots from 65 to 67.
Challenging the Status Quo
Filed in an Illinois federal court, Let Experienced Pilots Fly Inc., comprising pilots from major and regional U.S. airlines, contends that the proposed law, dubbed the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act, would help alleviate the country’s severe pilot shortage, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pilots Retirement Age law: Navigating Political Skies
The lawsuit alleges ALPA’s opposition to the bipartisan bill is politically motivated, skewing in favor of younger pilots. The group accuses ALPA of prioritizing the interests of junior pilots over those of their more experienced counterparts, thus breaching its duty of fair representation.
Pilots Retirement Age law: Clash at Altitude
Let Experienced Pilots Fly Inc. accuses ALPA of launching a media campaign filled with what it terms “disingenuous, misleading, or false” statements, including claims that raising the retirement age could compromise air safety. The group vehemently rejects such assertions, labeling them as arbitrary attacks on older pilots.
