Document: 469 U.S. 111 105 S.Ct. 613 83 L.Ed.2d 523 TRANS WORLD AIRLINES, INC., Petitioner,v.Harold H. THURSTON et al. AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL, Petitioner, v. Harold Nos. 83-997, 83-1325. Argued Oct. 9, 1984. Decided Jan. 8, 1985. Syllabus The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) was amended 1978 to prohibit the mandatory retirement of a protected employee because his age. Concerned that its policy, at least as it applied flight engineers, violated ADEA, petitioner Trans World Airlines (TWA) adopted plan permitting any "flight engineer status" age 60 continue working capacity. plan, however, does not give 60-year-old captains (pilots) right automatically begin training engineers. Instead, captain may remain with airline only if he has been able obtain through bidding procedures outlined collective-bargaining agreement between TWA and Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). These require captain, prior 60th birthday, submit "standing bid" for position engineer. When vacancy occurs, is assigned most senior standing bid. If no occurs or lacks sufficient seniority bid successfully those vacancies do occur, retired. Under agreement, displaced reason besides need resort procedure. For example, who medically disabled whose eliminated due reduced manpower displace automatically, "bump," less Respondent former (hereafter respondents) were retired upon reaching 60. Each denied an opportunity "bump" Two them forced retire before new thus become engineers procedures. third filed but occurred too retire. Respondents action against ALPA Federal District Court, claiming TWA's transfer policy § 4(a)(1) ADEA—which proscribes differential treatment older workers "with respect . [a] privileg[e] employment"—because, while allowed reasons other than did allow same "privilege employment" compelled vacate their positions Court entered summary judgment favor ALPA, holding respondents had failed establish prima facie case discrimination under test set forth McDonnell Douglas Corp. Green, 411 792, 93 1817, 36 668, affirmative defenses provided by 4(f)(1)—an employer take "any otherwise prohibited" where "bona fide occupational qualification [BFOQ]"—and 4(f)(2)—it unlawful adopt system" ADEA justified policy. Appeals reversed, inapposite adduced direct proof discrimination; required afford employment," i.e., "bumping" disqualified age; justify discriminatory policy; liable "liquidated" double damages 7(b) violation "willful" within meaning section. Held: 1. denies on basis ADEA. Captains are afforded privilege age, instead must While grant privileges captains, nevertheless, some "privilege" deny others inapplicable plaintiff presents evidence discrimination. Here, there method available depends Since allows face. Pp. 120-122. 2. §§ 4(f)(1) (2) support argument justified. BFOQ defense meritless Nor can be viewed part bona system. A system includes this permits 122-125. 3. willful 7(b), therefore entitled damages. knew conduct prohibited showed "reckless disregard" whether prohibited, simply potential applicability "in picture." latter broad standard would result award almost every case. certainly "know" fairly said ADEA's requirements. record makes clear officials acted reasonably good faith attempting determine violate 125-130. 713 F.2d 940 (CA2), affirmed reversed part. Henry J. Oechler, Jr., New York City, No. 83-997. Michael E. Abram, Lawrence G. Wallace, Washington, D.C., E.E.O.C. Raymond C. Fay, Chicago, Ill., Thurston, al., both cases. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. 1 Airlines, Inc. (TWA), commercial airline, from serving capacity In case, we decide 1967 (ADEA), 81 Stat. 602, amended, 29 U.S.C. 621 seq., requires We also what constitutes entitling 2 * A. 3 approximately 3,000 employees fill three cockpit flights.1 "captain" pilot controls aircraft. He responsible all phases operation. "first officer" copilot assists captain. engineer" usually monitors side-facing instrument panel. operate unless first officer incapacitated. 4 1977, (ALPA) into which when reached This provision lawful system." See United Lines, McMann, 434 192, 98 444, 54 402 (1977). On April 6, 1978, individual age.2 became concerned company's ADEA.3 5 July 19, announced company proposed positions, 60, stated implement until "had benefit [ALPA's] views."4 ALPA's views long coming. Union contended employment after birthday change recently 6 Despite opposition Union, modified version proposal.5 unlike initial proposal, captains6 agreement. retired.7 7 unable maintain requisite first-class medical certificate, see 14 CFR 67.13 (1984), engineer.8 captain's ability bump depend availability vacancy.9 Similarly, needs engineer.10 Even found incompetent serve capacity, discharged,11 without procedures.12 8 Christopher Clark, Clifton Parkhill, TWA, Thurston May 26, Clark attempt advised him affect chances obtaining transfer. two effectively file No Parkhill's B 9 Parkhill States Southern York. They argued 4(a)(1), 603, 623(a)(1). they claimed, should employment." Equal Opportunity Commission intervened behalf 10 age-disqualified discharged inability engineers.13 defendants ALPA. Assn. 547 F.Supp. 1221 (1982). court held plaintiffs 668 (1973). None could show time request existed id., 802, S.Ct., 1824. Furthermore, 623(f)(1) (f)(2). Second Circuit Court's judgment. (1983). It formula Therefore, 623(a)(1), policy.14 F.2d, 949-951. "willful." According court, employer's "knows shows reckless disregard matter ADEA." Id., 956. Because "TWA clearly aware amendments," 956-957. 11 petition writ certiorari challenged Appeals' cross-petition raising liability issue. granted cases, consolidated argument. 466 926, 104 1706, 80 179 (1984). now affirm reverse claim II 12 "broadly prohibits arbitrary workplace based age." Lorillard Pons, 575, 577, 866, 868, 55 40 (1978). Section 623(a). privilege. retire.15 13 captains. Nevertheless, Hishon King & Spalding, 467 69, 2229, 59 "[a] parcel relationship doled out fashion, even free provide all." 75, 2233-2234. interpretation Title VII Civil Rights 1964, 42 2000e applies equal force context discrimination, substantive provisions "were derived haec verba VII." supra, U.S., 584, 872.16 contends make (1973), retired, existed. fails, Teamsters States, 431 324, 358, n. 44, 97 1843, 1866, 52 396 shifting burdens designed assure "plaintiff [has] day despite unavailability evidence." Loeb Textron, Inc., 600 1003, 1014 (CA1 1979). Cf. Los Angeles Dept. Water Power Manhart, 435 702, 1370, 657 (1978) (employer's requiring female larger contribution pension fund male face). 15 Although find discriminates our inquiry cannot end here. Petitioners contend age-based five defenses. argue discharge qualification" (BFOQ) 623(f)(1). claims system," exempt Act's coverage. 623(f)(2). 16 provides qualification." order permissible 4(f)(1), relate "particular business." Ibid. Every consider issue assumed business" statute refers job excluded. Weeks Bell Tel. Co., 408 228 (CA5 1969), considered who, her sex, switchman. deciding defendant, 17 "particular" necessary recognize policies: (i) 60; (ii) given reasons. precludes individuals respondents.17 second practice exclude captain; rather prevents qualified 60-year-olds Thus, excluded engineer,18 4(f)(1). 18 nevertheless supported legislative history amendments Congress 4(f)(2), 623(f)(2), involuntary Some Members amendment might construed limiting terminate subject valid BFOQ. Senate providing S.Rep. 95-493, pp. 11, 24 (1977), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News p. 504. Conference Committee, withdrawn "the [Senate] conferees agreed [it] neither added nor worked present law." H.R.Conf.Rep. 95-950, (1978), 529. House Committee Report indicated H.R.Rep. 95-527, pt. 1, 19 Amendments petitioners' position. retiring including incapacitated mean, dependent Nothing cited petitioners indicates congressional intention discriminate worker seeking another position, ground job. 20 airline's mandated negotiated plan. address finding; fide" statute. "require permit" FAA "age rule" have caused respondents' retirement, "permitted" Moreover, age-based. unavailable petitioners. 21 summary, thereby violates Act. statutory raised engineer, III 22 604, 626(b), rights created "enforced accordance powers, remedies, procedures" Fair Labor Standards 579, 869. But remedial statutes identical. declined incorporate several FLSA sections. 16(b) FLSA, liquidated mandatory, significantly proviso prevailing "only cases violations." 626(b). "willful," 957. review holding. 23 intended punitive nature. original bill administration incorporated 16(a) imposes criminal violation. 113 Cong.Rec. 2199 (1967). Senator Javits "certain serious defects" bill. "difficult problems arise provision," invocation Fifth Amendment impede investigation, conciliation, enforcement. 7076. [FLSA's] penalty [be] damage substituted." "furnish effective deterrent violations [of ADEA]," ibid., minor modification, S. 788, 90th Cong., 1st Sess. recognized enacting "Congress exhibited detailed knowledge judicial ." 581, 870. manner interpreted relevant. general, courts penalties "wholly disregards law making reasonable effort following constitute Nabob Oil Co. 190 478, 479 (CA10), cert. denied, 342 876, 72 167, 96 L.Ed. 659 (1951); Darby 132 928 1943).19 substantially accord interpreting below Given provision, think reasonable. 25 definition above consistent term civil statutes. Murdock, 290 389, 223, 78 381 (1933), defendant prosecuted Revenue Acts 1926 1928, made misdemeanor person "willfully" fail pay tax. Murdock "marked careless [for] one so act." 395, 225. Illinois Central R. 303 239, 58 533, 82 773 (1938), There, defendant's failure unload cattle car governing indifference 242-243, 534-535.20 26 "cognizant appreciable possibility involved covered [ADEA]." cite Portal-to-Portal 1947 (PPA), 255(a), FLSA. PPA 2-year limitations period willful, extended years. 255(a). Several See, e.g., Coleman Jiffy June Farms, 458 1139, 1142 1971), 409 948, 292, 34 219 (1972); EEOC Kansas Medical Center, 705 1270, 1274 (CA10 1983). similar applying 27 unpersuaded picture" appropriate limitations, govern dealing damages.21 More importantly, As employers post notices, virtually impossible unaware applicability. Both structure two-tiered scheme. decline interpret frustrates intent.22 28 noted above, either hold acceptable way articulate misapplied standard. supra. Shortly met lawyers Concluding existing inconsistent David Crombie, Senior Vice President Administration, proposal. August 10, work airline. adopted, suit constituted "major" barred Railway Act, 45 156. adhered 30 "willfulness," point comments J.E. Frankum, Flight Operations. After Crombie hospitalized Frankum responsibility bringing conformance legal advice contrary, initially believed over work. later abandoned approved 1978. apparently about There indication ever counsel discriminated 31 requirements obligations Association. bring compliance observing terms sought consulted Union. permitted engineers" Apparently attorneys focus specifically effect each aspect personnel. believe parties involved, focusing overall problem, overlooked plan.23 conclude IV 32 gives agree willful. accordingly 33 ordered. certain long-distance flights, fourth crew member, "international relief officer," cockpit. types aircraft, positions. 2(a) Pub.L. 95-256, 92 189, regulation promulgated Aviation Administration anyone carrier. 121.383(c) officers "pilots" regulation; not. primarily proposal letter Administration. date implemented company. "unilateral conditions," hence violative 156-188. action, That affirmed. conditions employment, remedy federal courts. will hereinafter used refer officer. 1980, imposed additional restriction Successful bidders "fulfill bids timely manner." practice, "activate" immediately. result, many trained resulting lower responsibility. second-class certificate 67.15 displace, discharged. Rather, go unpaid leave up years, during retains continues accrue seniority. Only current last domiciles "bumped." insufficient these domiciles, placed furlough status purposes recall. disciplinary downgrades, Operations, such downgrades "many times years." fails "requalify" Three claimants settled TWA. remaining seven Lusk, Bobzin, Gowling, Widmayer, Humbles, Roquemore, Lewis. Lusk Bobzin like knowing represent possible means transferring Roquemore submitted Lewis awarded October 31, 1979. January 15, told 7, assume year refused appear training. canceled 4(c), 623(c), unions causing cause engage found, permit recovery monetary damages, backpay, labor organization. incorporates scheme Standard actions recover certiorari, union's full, jurisdiction question. proper party assert union properly advance favor. Dandridge Williams, 397 471, 475 90 1153, 1156 491 (1970). An modify judgment, presented filed. FEA Algonquin SNG, 426 548, 560, 2295, 2302, 49 (1976). arguments advanced plaintiffs, contending though 83% Phillips Martin Marietta Corp., 400 542, 91 496, (1971) (per curiam ). obtained adversely affected fact Courts similarity Hodgson First Savings Loan Assn., 455 818, 820 (1972), "a few exceptions prohibitions [the ADEA] identical 1964." litigation, establishes guidelines, list FAA's age-60 rule example wishes avoid appearance endorses rule. 1625 Indeed, employed 148 years old. evil motive bad purpose. States. inappropriate expressed approval 1020, numerous Alabama FERC, 584 750 1978); F.X. Messina Construction Occupational Safety Health Review Comm'n, 505 701 1974). divided "willfulness" determining period. Compare Spagnuolo Whirlpool 641 1109, 1113 (CA4) (standards identical), 454 860, 102 316, 70 158 (1981), Kelly American Standard, 640 974, 979 (CA9 1981) different). complete "good faith." hardly result. originally enacted, allowing Overnight Motor Transportation Missel, 316 572, 62 1216, 86 1682 (1942). response dissatisfaction harsh enacted 1947. 581-582, 870, PPA, 260, grounds believing contra, Hays Republic Steel 531 1307 1976). concerns reflected dissent, Judge Van Graafeiland focused stated: trunk voluntarily [persons] Instead receiving commendation done, discrimination,"

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