Barbara Boxer: “only a month ago, our Nation faced a terrible tragedy. We learned loud and clear that we need to improve aviation…”

“only a month ago, our Nation faced a terrible tragedy. We learned loud and clear that we need to improve aviation security and safety, not decrease it, which is what this amendment would do. At a time that we need to protect the American public, Congress should not be decreasing safety standards. Even the FAA opposes this amendment because of safety concerns. This amendment would eliminate the current rule that commercial pilot must retire at age 60. It was put into place to help ensure safety in the air. It should only be changed if research can prove the effects of aging do not impact a pilot's ability to fly a commercial jet at age 60. The ``Age 60 Rule'' for retirement of airline pilots was implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, based on safety concerns that medical evidence showed that as a group pilots begin to demonstrate the affects of aging around age 60.”