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ALPA
Rec. 8/12/68
Attachment #8
Air Line Pilots Association
55th Street & Cicero Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60638
Portsmouth, 7-1400

Affiliated with A.F.L. - C.I.O.

INT'L

July 18, 1968

TO THE UAL - MEC

I have been asked by MEC Chairman C.L. Woods to report to you regarding the Age 60 problem and my own views regarding it. Because this subject directly affects all pilots and because my views have, in some instances, been reported inaccurately or taken out of context, I am submitting them to you in writing.

The first report of the Aeromedical Coordinating Committee (then Physical Standards Study Committee) to the ALPA Board of Directors was made in November, 1956. This Committee consisted of W.A. Murphey (TWA), L.C. Transou (EAL), C. Eklund (NWA), and myself. "Retirement" was one of the major areas in our assignment and in order to study it, we made the following 5 basic assumptions regarding air line pilot careers. These assumptions were approved by the Board of Directors and have provided the conceptual framework within which our Committee and, to the best of my knowledge, the Association has operated ever since. I believe they are completely sound.

I. A professional air line pilot career should produce enough income to provide the pilot and his family with a standard of living over his entire life time, which is commensurate with his station, his profession, and his responsibilities. It should not be necessary for him to be forced to find other means of income, provided that he has successfully completed a normal career as an air line pilot.

II. It is desirable, from the point of view of the pilot, the industry, and the community, to keep the pilot flying as long as he can do so efficiently and safely.

III. If a pilot wishes to stop flying, he should be able to gracefully retire prior to normal retirement age, because of the demands which are made upon him, and the inherent nature of his profession. However, there should also be a positive financial incentive for him to keep flying until his normal retirement age.

IV. If a significant number of pilots fail to meet required physical standards before a normal and realistic retirement age is reached, or are unable to maintain competency until they reach a normal and realistic retirement age, then financial provision must be made  by the industry, for obviously a sacrifice is being asked of this profession, either by the physical standards established, or by the competency which is required.

"Schedule with Safety"