Age 60/What now?

Many of you have emailed me asking what action you can take now. Several have suggested we get moving so the issue doesn't loose momentum. However, right now it is difficult to get anything done in Washington. It has been determined, by folks much more politically savvy than me, that we should hold off until next year. The first press will probably be an attempt to get the House Aviation Subcommittee going on House Bill 448 (originally sched for Sept but postponed after 9-11), the complimentary bill to S.B.361 which passed the Senate Commerce Committee earlier in the year.

Here is what we CAN DO now:

RECRUIT: Lets concentrate right now on building our base of support. Every one of us knows several folks who would be interested in getting involved in this effort. RECRUIT THEM. Pass their email addresses on to me and I'll keep them informed. When the time comes we will need max effort.

EDUCATE: Let's start with ourselves. Do you know enough about the issues involved to be persuasive? If not please take some time to review some of the sources listed below. Also feel free to email me with any questions. Then get in contact with your representatives and educate them on the problems involved with the present rule. Build support for the upcoming legislative battle.

GET INVOLVED: Join and financially support the grass roots groups (PAAD, PPF, APAAS) who are doing the work for all of us. Many individuals have devoted quite a few years and they deserve our support. "JUST DO IT"!! The cost is very reasonable and if we band together with small individual contributions the total will be substantial.

Contact your union and let them know how you feel. If you work for Southwest Airlines (as I do) don't assume multiple surveys taken in the past assure future support by our union. Contact your reps and tell them you

EXPECT them to continue following the will of the membership! If you work

for an ALPA/APA carrier tell them anyway!!

Here are some websites where you can find information:

1. www.paad60.com (Pilots Against Age Discrimination) Click on

"SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS" in the home page to review historical documents/articles. My previous mailings are listed along with many other items of interest.

2. www.ppf.org (Professional Pilots Federation) Download the

"Petition for Exemption". It is the best source document regarding the age 60 issue I've seen. At 80+ pages in length it has a wealth of information and you will find a lot of interesting arguments for the age 60 rule's repeal.

3. www.apaas.org (ALPA Pilots Against Age 60)

4. www.age60rule.com (Dr's Woolsey & Wilkening)

5. Here are three websites which will help you identify your reps and track the status of the bills (Senate Bill 361 & House Bill 448):

www.vote-smart.org & www.senate.gov & www.house.gov.

Keep the press on, Dean