Sully Sullenberger: An Example of the Experience of Older Pilots

Politicians are heralding the actions of the pilots of the US Airways flight that landed in the Hudson River — an effort described as “miraculous” by Chelsey B. “Sully” Sullenberger, a former Air Force fighter pilot, has been with US Airways since 1980. As the lawyer for older pilots fighting to retain their benefits and rights, I will simply note that many of these same politicians have worked to have pilots over 60 years old fired and stripped of their benefit and seniority.

“Sully” Sullenberger was piloting US Airways flight 1549 from New York’s LaGuardia airport to Charlotte, North Carolina, when at least one of the plane’s engines failed.

He was able to call upon decades of experience to save the lives of every pilot on that aircraft. Yet, Congress continues to work tirelessly to fire pilots like Sully and deprive them of a lifetime of benefits. Sully is reportedly 57 and would have been fired under the Age 60 rule in three years. Now, he is able to continue to fly after the pilots forced a change in Congress. However, Congress still stripped pilots over 60 of their benefits and status in a demand from the powerful pilots’ union, ALPA. We are continuing our litigation to seek to overturn that law.

For the full story, click here.