No Compromise on Pilot Age and Training

null Jan. 15, 2024 12:08 pm ETA United Airlines jet takes off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., Dec. 29, 2023. Photo: shawn thew/ShutterstockYour editorial “The Pilot Union’s Flying Veto” (Jan. 4) lands short of the runway. Safety is paramount in aviation, and as a retired airline captain with over 28,000 flight hours, I learned that almost all flight-safety enhancements were initiated by pilot flight crews, a few from the FAA and almost none from the airline. I knew pilots who retired in their early 50s—and none too soon. A retirement age of 67 could be terrifying.Lt. Col. William Kerschner, USAF (Ret.) Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8Sponsored OffersASOS: ASOS Promo Code: 25% offSHEIN: SHEIN Discount Code: Get 20% off on orders of $169+Kohl's: Enjoy 15% off FLX active apparel using Kohls CouponWalmart: $20 Off Walmart Promo Code - Any $50+ OrderTurboTax: Extra 10% Off online federal produc

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Jan. 15, 2024 12:08 pm ET

A United Airlines jet takes off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., Dec. 29, 2023. Photo: shawn thew/Shutterstock

Your editorial “The Pilot Union’s Flying Veto” (Jan. 4) lands short of the runway. Safety is paramount in aviation, and as a retired airline captain with over 28,000 flight hours, I learned that almost all flight-safety enhancements were initiated by pilot flight crews, a few from the FAA and almost none from the airline. I knew pilots who retired in their early 50s—and none too soon. A retirement age of 67 could be terrifying.

Lt. Col. William Kerschner, USAF (Ret.)