when the FO looks like he's 18 years old...

[MikeOH58]

At 18 I knew everything...On the verge of 23, and I definately know everything! Can't wait till 28!

I think it all depends on how someone matures. If he/she is a sharp 20 year old, who gave up their youth to start flying regional jets, and they are safe, then good for them. If they finish their degree in a reasonable time frame, then you can't argue that they didn't make an amazing career move.

Not for me though. For one, I wasn't mature enough at the time to do something like that, and even if I were, theres no way in the world I would trade all of my experiences and relationships over the past four years of college, just to get in a jet. I've got a whole life time to fly.

That said, "please mr. younger than I am captain, you go ahead and enjoy that steak...I'll have the chicken" =)

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Originally Posted by GaTechKid

People seem to expect that the guy walking out of the flightdeck should be at least 40, probably with salt and pepper hair. It shocks them when they see someone in their early 20s.

Originally Posted by Aero_Engineer

It is the perception of the older you are the wiser and more seasoned you are. The majority of the public still looks at pilots as the skilled fine gentelmken that take fly a giant piece of metal smoothely and the whole idea of an 18 year old who would just be legal to carry passengers in his/her car in California flying the plane does not fit well.

Originally Posted by bike21

Had a lady one evening look up in the flight deck and comment how she likes to see 'gray hair' up there.

Hopefully this will help me when I get an interview! I give the impression of experience on the flight deck!

BTW: I'm that over 40 guy, greying/bald spot

[cmsuav8r]

I'm always impressed when I see the young pilots because I know all the hard work that they had to put in to get there. I am currently 20 and will be graduating with my first degree at 21. I plan on getting a second degree while flight instructing, and I'm looking to be in the cockpit around 23 with 2 degrees (one in aviation and one in economics). Do to hardwork in high school, I will be getting my first degree after only 3 years of college, which means that I should be able to graduate with 2 degrees in the same time it would take a normal person to get 1. I'm able to better position myself for future jobs and not really lose any time either. I'm just curious to know how many of you got your degree in 3 years or know someone that has. Is this rare?

[higney85]

Originally Posted by cmsuav8r

I'm always impressed when I see the young pilots because I know all the hard work that they had to put in to get there. I am currently 20 and will be graduating with my first degree at 21. I plan on getting a second degree while flight instructing, and I'm looking to be in the cockpit around 23 with 2 degrees (one in aviation and one in economics). Do to hardwork in high school, I will be getting my first degree after only 3 years of college, which means that I should be able to graduate with 2 degrees in the same time it would take a normal person to get 1. I'm able to better position myself for future jobs and not really lose any time either. I'm just curious to know how many of you got your degree in 3 years or know someone that has. Is this rare?

3 years is not hard.... getting up at 7am to get to summer school sucks! I don't feel I gave up any college experiences by cutting a year off, I just never slept...

[zmiller4]

Originally Posted by Toria

I have had some very nice flights by pilots who looked 16.

That was me, right?

I'm about to turn 27 and feeling old. Flight instructing made me lose hair.

[higney85]

Originally Posted by desertdog71

The benefit of age is the fact that you realize how stupid you were a few years ago. Not even joking either, I remember thinking I had things figured out at 20, 25, 30.... See the pattern??

I do not argue this fact, when I was 16 I thought I knew everything- especially when it came to cars, but then I realized I just knew enough to be dangerous! As far as flying a plane from point A to Z, each pilot has the same training, procedures, and regulations to make the flight safe. We learn with hours and experiences in the seat or from NTSB reports of coworkers who learned the hard way. If I started flying at age 16 and have 5 years of experience at this point, will I operate a plane differently than someone who started flying 5 years ago when he/she was 35 (assuming both flew the same amount of time)? I am not trying to start any type of argument, but in the cockpit I feel that the experience comes from seat time, not actual age. Obviously this comes with the assumption of maturity. A 21 year old still not over "keg stands" has no place in the cockpit, but a 21 year old that is taking a job making less money flying a 50 seat jet compared to what he/she made instructing in a 2 seat trainer while working on call devoting the vast majority of his month and QOL to pursue this career has a different level of maturity. I understand that many captains I fly with may see a 21 year old as a "kid"- i have been called "kid" which in quite unprofessional in my opinion- but the fact that I abide by the same rules and do the same job as his previous 30 year old FO should make age a non-factor. I will not be arrogant enough to sit here and say I know more than them- b/c I dont- that is why they are the captain. I make sure to review systems, the FOM, and CFM, and even the FAR/AIM on a regular basis to be the most capable FO I can be. That won't change whether I am 21 or 51 or whether I am an FO or CA. The difference is 30 years will not be my ability- but 30 years in the cockpit gives my 25K hours of experience to know what and when to do something. That is my soap box stand for the week, hope my fellow young pilots enjoyed it.. I need a beer..

[mojo6911]

This kid went to JetU and just got hired.

[surreal1221]

Originally Posted by GaTechKid

People seem to expect that the guy walking out of the flightdeck should be at least 40, probably with salt and pepper hair. It shocks them when they see someone in their early 20s.

I was thinking the same thought today driving into Atlanta.

Passengers want to have an old flight crew, EVERYTIME. But, it's just not possible. If it were up to me, the passengers would NEVER see the flight crew . . .ever. Except, maybe at the end of the flight. Leaves any chance of pre-judging at the curb.

[moxiepilot]

Originally Posted by higney85

If I started flying at age 16 and have 5 years of experience at this point, will I operate a plane differently than someone who started flying 5 years ago when he/she was 35 (assuming both flew the same amount of time)?

actually no.

again the younger folk will say that 1000 hours = 1000 hours no matter what your age, but I guarantee you a 23 year old will handle most scenerios differently than a 40 year old, both professionally and when dealing with people.

[Tiger815]

Thinking of all the "Am I too old" posts I'm picturing the passengers filing past thanking the 40 something FO for the smooth flight and ignoring the 20 something CA.

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Originally Posted by Tiger815

Thinking of all the "Am I too old" posts I'm picturing the passengers filing past thanking the 40 something FO for the smooth flight and ignoring the 20 something CA.

We will let you know when we get there!

[crashmbern]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

I was thinking the same thought today driving into Atlanta.

Passengers want to have an old flight crew, EVERYTIME. But, it's just not possible. If it were up to me, the passengers would NEVER see the flight crew . . .ever. Except, maybe at the end of the flight. Leaves any chance of pre-judging at the curb.

thats what I liked about the ATR, the cargo compartment between the cockpit and the cabin. We usually don't see the passengers until we take the bus back to the terminal. Then they ##### a brick when they see how old I am.

[flyTotheSky]

It wasn't too long ago when we had 19-22 year old kids commanding B-17s over Berlin....

[higney85]

Originally Posted by moxiepilot

actually no.

again the younger folk will say that 1000 hours = 1000 hours no matter what your age, but I guarantee you a 23 year old will handle most scenerios differently than a 40 year old, both professionally and when dealing with people.

Dealing with people- maybe.. but I don't see a difference when it comes to scenarios involving emergencies. A thrust reverser deployment at V1 will/should be handled the same way (once trained) by a 18 year old, just as a 59 year old. When dealing with passengers I wont argue that some gray hair can change things, not that the CA is doing anything different- but the passengers will trust a 50 year old more than a 25 year old, its just the misconception that more gray brings more seat time. Many times that is the case but my argument is the same of 5000 hours by age 25 will bring the same outcomes in crisis situations as 5000 hours at age 40. As always I am just stating my opinions...

[falconvalley]

I'm 29 and I like planes...and kitty cats and doggies- WOOF WOOF!

[Timbuff10]

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

He was 18 when he finished training at my flight school... so... he was either 18 or an early 19 when he got hired at XJT, after instructing to build his hours.

Bob

Yeah, that was my 90 day flight partner at ATP. He could definetly fly an airplane. I will give him that much.

I think he got hired about 3 months after finishing the program at ATP and I did read an article saying he was the youngest current airline pilot at the time.

[bike21]

Basically age means nothing except on face value. I have had Captains much older than myself who could not handle pax issues effectively (found myself on the PA and in front of them) and did not do well in the face of things stacking up against us in the air (I was the calming effect and had the SA). It all comes down to you who you are and what you consist of.

[Timbuff10]

Originally Posted by bike21

Basically age means nothing except on face value. I have had Captains much older than myself who could not handle pax issues effectively (found myself on the PA and in front of them) and did not do well in the face of things stacking up against us in the air (I was the calming effect and had the SA). It all comes down to you who you are and what you consist of.

Nick, in case you haven't noticed though, you are a whole different breed.

And that IS a compliment!

[bike21]

Thanks much big T! You're not such a bad fella yourself

[ClearedForOption]

I got this one the day before for the first time...

Day 2 of IOE boarding people onto the 1900 and a pax says to me - "are you old enough to drive this thing"

(quick pause)

ME (with my best smile) - "I'm 31 maam... my youthful looks come from years of clean living"

She chuckled.

After the flight as I was deplaning the people she said to me that I was old enough and that it was a real smooth ride. (my leg...) So I thanked her and told her that I hope to see her back real soon on the way out.

Funny thing was that I'm seeing more and more grey on the sides... especially after training.

[dieselman1220]

Yea the whole young pilot thing and comments from people gets old after a while. Im 21 and I feel like i look my age and behave twice my age. Ive heard every comment from passengers Its better to just not give them a serious answer and leave them wondering make a funny comment like, yea my mom still gives me a ride to the airport, or something like that. I was shocked however a few weeks ago in TEB and a Net Jets capt walked by as i was installing the gear pins and said " I didnt know you could rent a G2 and a pilot uniform for flight training." I ignored him but i never expected that from another pilot is especially a net jets guy.

[fahim87]

that is wat iam talking about.. .bring in the young generation

[PeanuckleCRJ]

My first trip on IOE last week... a lady poked her head in the cockpit and asked if my mom was going to pick me up when got to our destination.

[MikeOH58]

Originally Posted by dieselman1220

I was shocked however a few weeks ago in TEB and a Net Jets capt walked by as i was installing the gear pins and said " I didnt know you could rent a G2 and a pilot uniform for flight training." I ignored him but i never expected that from another pilot is especially a net jets guy.

Ouch...What a dick

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Originally Posted by PeanuckleCRJ

My first trip on IOE last week... a lady poked her head in the cockpit and asked if my mom was going to pick me up when got to our destination.

What was your response????

1. No, I got my learners permit and she let me borrow the car.
2. No, I lost my license to a DUI
3. I'm not old enough to get that yet.
4. Other?