Resolutions

Resolution Number ANAL07.02

Regarding Age Discrimination Against U.S. Commercial Pilots

WHEREAS, current FAA rules require experienced airline pilots, who remain capable of flying safely, to retire at age 60 based on a 50-year old standard put in place to solve a labor dispute and not to enhance flight safety; and

WHEREAS, the international air transport community, represented by the International Civil Aviation Organization of which the United States is a founding member, with the support of most nations, adopted a new world standard in 2006 permitting commercial pilots to continue service until age 65, including foreign pilots who command and fly commercial aircraft within the United States for foreign airlines; and

WHEREAS, this difference in rules represents age discrimination without valid cause against U.S. commercial pilots, aggravates the current acute shortage of commercial pilots, and encourages the lowering of standards for new pilots to meet that shortage;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party join AARP, EEOC, Veterans United For Truth, Inc., Vietnam Veterans of America, The Seniors Coalition, Airline Pilots Association, International (ALPA), Southwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), Airline Pilots Against Age Discrimination (APAAD), JetBlue Airlines, and thousands of pilots and their families, to support an immediate change in FAA rules to permit commercial pilots who otherwise remain qualified to continue to serve until age 65; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party convey this resolution to U.S. Representative James Oberstar (D-MN), the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, post haste.

Submitted by Bob Handy, Region 10 Director, Chair of the CDP Veterans Caucus

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Adopted by the Executive Board
Of the California Democratic Party
At Its Executive Board Meeting
Sheraton Hotel, Anaheim
November 18, 2007