By KXAS/NBC News Channel

There's a controversy brewing within the airline industry. The disagreement is over when commercial pilots should be forced to retire. Currently it's age 60, but there's a push to raise the retirement age to 65.

Airline pilots are responsible for countless lives. For 47 years, the FAA has stood by its mandate that once airline pilots reach age 60, they must retire.

"Basically pilots' cognitive and physical capabilities start to decline at the age of 57." That theory is now being questioned by both the FAA and Congress. A push is now underway to raise the retirement age to 65.

"I think it's a relic that is long past it's day."

While the Southwest pilot's association supports raising the retirement age. American's does not. 

"How old is too old to fly and would you want to be one of the passengers on the airplane that first discovered that age 61 was too old."

"It's certainly not a safety issue and anyone that tells you that it is, is I think mistaken."

Remember at American pilots can retire at age 60 with a nice pension in place. But at other airlines facing bankruptcy many pilots need more time in the cockpit to recoup their losses. What does the flying public think?

"I think that varies with a scale of the pilot. Sixty-five would be fine for me."

"You slow down some when you start to age."

"I don't think age should have a lot to do with it. I think a lot of times it just depends on an individuals physical well being."

As the debate takes off, travelers hope the FAA remains grounded. Its decision should be based on the safety of the public, not the pocketbooks of pilots.


There's a controversy brewing within the airline industry. The disagreement is over when commercial pilots should be forced to retire. Currently it's age 60, but there's a push to raise the retirement age to 65.

Airline pilots are responsible for countless lives. For 47 years, the FAA has stood by its mandate that once airline pilots reach age 60, they must retire.

"Basically pilots' cognitive and physical capabilities start to decline at the age of 57." That theory is now being questioned by both the FAA and Congress. A push is now underway to raise the retirement age to 65.

"I think it's a relic that is long past it's day."

While the Southwest pilot's association supports raising the retirement age. American's does not. 

"How old is too old to fly and would you want to be one of the passengers on the airplane that first discovered that age 61 was too old."

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