Members of the Air Line Pilots Association will be asked their views on the Age 60 mandatory retirement rule for airline pilots. The union, which has historically opposed any effort to raise the retirement age, is now worried that the current financial crisis in the airline industry could cut pilotsâ career earnings. ALPA pilots are concerned they might have to work in other professions or as pilots outside the U.S. beyond age 60 due to a âdramatic and permanentâ drop in their career and retirement earnings.