The Pilot Union’s Flying Veto

null By The Editorial BoardJan. 3, 2024 6:37 pm ETJournal Editorial Report: Best guesses of what's to come from Kim Strassel, Bill McGurn and Dan Henninger. Images: AP/AFP/Getty Images Composite: Mark KellySome seven million people took to the skies this holiday season, and most seemed to escape last year’s airline meltdowns. But cloudier skies are ahead if pilot unions are allowed to control who can fly.Congress recently extended until March the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. It’s the second short-term extension in three months, and the main sticking points are pilot training and retirement age. The Air Line Pilots Association union (ALPA) and other unions want to limit the supply of new commercial aviators—the better to leverage higher pay.Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8Sponsored OffersHotels.com: 20% off Hotels.com Coupon | Save SitewideHotwire: Enjoy 15% off Hot Rate Bookings - Hotwire promo

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The Editorial Board

Jan. 3, 2024 6:37 pm ET

Journal Editorial Report: Best guesses of what's to come from Kim Strassel, Bill McGurn and Dan Henninger. Images: AP/AFP/Getty Images Composite: Mark Kelly

Some seven million people took to the skies this holiday season, and most seemed to escape last year’s airline meltdowns. But cloudier skies are ahead if pilot unions are allowed to control who can fly.

Congress recently extended until March the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. It’s the second short-term extension in three months, and the main sticking points are pilot training and retirement age. The Air Line Pilots Association union (ALPA) and other unions want to limit the supply of new commercial aviators—the better to leverage higher pay.