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

[TXaviator]

you know, im sure he's a fine pilot, has all the qualifications, was a good candidate, all that....

but yeesh, this guy CANT be any older than 22 at the MOST....

just kinda a weird feeling. :-\

the capt looks like he could easily be his DAD!!! lol!

[Captain_Bob]

Probably XJT...

At one time... I believe we actually had the youngest 121 FO in the system.

Bob

[FiveO]

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

Probably XJT...

At one time... I believe we actually had the youngest 121 FO in the system.

Bob

Do you remember what age that was?

[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

[H46Bubba]

Comair's getting that way. Every time the new class starts, the younger they get. I keep wanting to ask them; "Hey are you guys old enough to drink?"

[C150J]

Originally Posted by FiveO

Do you remember what age that was?

I got on with another regional when I just turned 23, but there are a handful of 20-22 year olds in the system!

[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.

[Nismaxdan]

We have this kid at the Sanford Pilot Factory who looks like 14. A lot of people ask me his age cause we have the same instructor and we sometimes study together. He is 18 though, and one really smart kid.

[FiveO]

Originally Posted by C150J

I got on with another regional when I just turned 23, but there are a handful of 20-22 year olds in the system!

Wow.

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Is this the next varation on the age old arguement of 300 hour wonders? Would it make a terrible difference if someone was 18 but was hired at a regional with 3500 hrs and 1500 tt? Maybe someone like citationkid for example?

Age is but a number skill, talent and experience are something else more important all together!

[Aero_Engineer]

Originally Posted by Maximillian_Jenius

Is this the next varation on the age old arguement of 300 hour wonders? Would it make a terrible difference if someone was 18 but was hired at a regional with 3500 hrs and 1500 tt? Maybe someone like citationkid for example?

Age is but a number skill, talent and experience are something else more important all together!

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 gentelmen 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.
For me personally if everything goes well, will be making the flight deck by the time I am 24 (I am 22 now) and that is with a degree and I should admit that I'll be ready to take the "rolling eyes" from the public when they see me walk in or out of the cockpit.
It is a matter that it takes geeting used to so i personally do not see a problem in the whole matter.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by TXaviator

you know, im sure he's a fine pilot, has all the qualifications, was a good candidate, all that....

but yeesh, this guy CANT be any older than 22 at the MOST....

just kinda a weird feeling. :-\

the capt looks like he could easily be his DAD!!! lol!

He may be young, but he probably slept at a Hiloday Inn Express last night.....

As to Bob's reply, I was going to ask, Xjet by chance....?

[C150J]

Originally Posted by Aero_Engineer

me personally if everything goes well, will be making the flight deck by the time I am 24 (I am 22 now) and that is with a degree and I should admit that I'll be ready to take the "rolling eyes" from the public when they see me walk in or out of the cockpit.
It is a matter that it takes geeting used to so i personally do not see a problem in the whole matter.

It's all about command presence. If you get on the PA and make a succint and articulate announcements, people will reconsider their conceptions of what 24 year olds act like!

[Aero_Engineer]

Originally Posted by C150J

It's all about command presence. If you get on the PA and make a succint and articulate announcements, people will reconsider their conceptions of what 24 year olds act like!

You are absolutely correct. As I mentioned, it just takes getting used to especially when they see the professionalism in that person.

[mrivc211]

I remember this one trip where i was 24 and 1/2 and the captain was 23. Our flight attendant was 54. Our combined age was less than her her. I felt bad that she had to do this job at her age.

[Toria]

There is something to be said for "life experience". You may be able to fly a plane very well at age 18 or 19, but there is still a lot to learn about how the world works and that we are not indestructable. I think very few 18 year old boys (men) can manage themselves in a truly professional way. That is spoken out of medicine, not availation, but my opinion is that we really don't grow up until our mid-twenties. Myself included.

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

[SeanD]

I saw this FO in CLT she looked about 21 and was HOT! I saw her in line at Starbucks and bought her coffee. I thought she was a regional pilot then I board my plane to RIC (a USAir A319) and she is the FO on that flight. Also has anyone seen the FO at Xjet that looks like Jessica Alba?

[PGT]

You should have gotten her number....




...for me.

[bike21]

Had a lady one evening look up in the flight deck and comment how she likes to see 'gray hair' up there. The Captain was about 30 but looks 23 and I was 27 at the time. We just pretended not to hear the comment and gave everyone a pleasant ride that evening.

Age is a state of mind no matter what the number shows

[Seggy]

Originally Posted by SeanD

Also has anyone seen the FO at Xjet that looks like Jessica Alba?

I think I have jumpseated on two flights that she operated. I *THINK* she is EWR based.

[SeanD]

Originally Posted by Seggy

I think I have jumpseated on two flights that she operated. I *THINK* she is EWR based.

I saw her in CLT also, that would probably have made here EWR based too. That might be her.

[Citationkid]

I am a very young pilot and have taught many younger pilots to fly. The biggest thing I have seen with younger pilots is that most do not respect the dangers accosiated with flying. Toria said it well earlier, many think they are industructable. If I had not had so many friends killed in flying (not to mention nearly being killed myself), I would probally be the same way. I guess it is just something that has to do with being young.

Originally Posted by Maximillian_Jenius

Age is but a number skill, talent and experience are something else more important all together!

It is kind of funny you mention say that. The company I fly for is in the middle of buying a relatively large, pressurized airplane. The insurance broker was very positive about getting me insured when I told him my times and that I had been to Simcom a similiar plane. When I told him I am 18 I think he dropped the phone! In the end it worked out, but age is most certainly a factor.

[higney85]

Why can't someone be young? I interviewed when I was 20, hired just after I turned 21 and am still 21. I started flying in highschool, got the CFI/II/MEI when I turned 18 and instructed in college and finished the Bachelor's in 3 years. I don't understand why age is an issue. I feel the 4-year degree should be required but no age limit. I do agree with the 23 yr old ATP min for capt though... I am not trying to sound cocky (could be taken that way I guess) but if someone starts flying early when they know what they are doing it can be very easy to be 21-22 with a degree and 1000/200. Heck, at this point a High school grad can just go to ATP and get all the ratings and be in ground school before his classmates are starting their first college class. The 4-year degree requirement does keep people from doing this though which is good in my opinion. I say start young, that way-if you do hate it in the industry the 4-year degree is still helpful to start a career before you have too many obligations in life (family/wife/etc.)

[Diamnd15]

im one of the 19 year old pilots at xjt. i started flying when i was 12, and the best comment i have gotten so far was from a tsa lady looking at my badge, "your too young! im not letting you go..." that was a fun day. but i think as long as your still going to school like i am its a pretty good deal.

[desertdog71]

Originally Posted by higney85

I don't understand why age is an issue.

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??