The current push to extend MRA for pilots to 67 will most likely result in enhancements to medical, cognitive and performance standards. However, like most things that are complicated in nature, collateral consequences are potentially problematic.
To wit, Flight Attendants F/A who are also considered Safety Sensitive Positions in aviation have no MRA, no medical standards, undergo annual recurrent training and are FAA certificated. Thus, why are they not subject to the same arbitrary MRA and wholly appropriate medical standards? They seek to be treated equally with flight deck crew members except when it involves the same jeopardy events pilots are faced with.
F/A’s are the front line safety personnel aboard. They conduct cabin evacuations, deploy life rafts, administer CPR and AED, all of which require strength, dexterity and critical thinking. However, during my years as an International Captain and my wife’s as a F/A we have had very senior F/A’s in our crew who couldn’t perform some basic functions due to age, nor fasten their jump seat harness due to size.
Where all of this leads, in the scheme of things, is a comprehensive look and intervention into F/A standards, both performance and medical. There comes a time when the airlines and regulators must put passenger safety ahead of anything else, not the least of which will be sunsetting some very senior cabin crew members.