Only after the ICAO passed a change that will allow the vast majority of pilots in the rest of the world to fly until they are 65, and only after a hand-selected FAA committee failed to offer up a recommendation last week — reports Monday say that FAA administrator Marion Blakey has apparently “seen the light” and is now going to push for the retirement age for pilots of U.S. carriers to be extended to age 65.

According to today’s Wall Street Journal,

“According to people familiar with the situation, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey is crafting the new position slowly but steadily. Before spelling it out publicly, she is expected to gauge the willingness of incoming Democratic leaders in Congress to take the lead in advocating such moves. Input from the White House and Department of Transportation could affect the agency’s actions. Bills calling for the policy shift failed to pick up enough traction this year. A spokeswoman for Ms. Blakey said the industry can “expect a decision relatively soon.”

Finalizing new regulations could take 18 months or more, but FAA lawyers are mulling over whether to apply the new standard to currently retired pilots between 60 and 65, according to one person familiar with the process. Seniority rules could make it extremely difficult to make any change retroactive.”

About time. Whether it is done as part of an FAA rule change, or a Congressional effort — this changemakes sense on too many levels for it not to be completed.