"Experience commensurate with age"- does it still exist in Australia?

[Gearupandorrf]

Hey guys and girls,

I'm just getting back into the industry after a long time away due to personal/ family reasons.

Fortunately, I've been able to get a good job in Flight Ops/ Dispatch at "a major Australian Airline" and have been using my shift work to advantage by knocking off the ATPL's and IREX which I'll have completed soon.

For those on the wrong side of 35 with <500hrs, have any of you experienced age discrimination at any levels of the Industry when looking for flying work?

For instance-
For an entry level job- have you ever been overlooked in favour of the younger candidate?

For an Airline job (here in Australia)- have any of you ever been turned down for a job by the old "experience commensurate with age" equation? With the advent of candidates having to fund (or be bonded) for their Type Ratings- does such a policy still exist here in Australia (officially or otherwise)?

The reason for asking is that I'm trying to build a realistic expectation of what I might be able to acheive in my career. My current Airline employer is going to do what it can to get me flying once I've finished the last of my training, but I'm also looking at contingency plans for just in case.

Finally, I can't express how excited I am to be working towards a flying career again. After years of feeling it wouldn't be possible due to circumstance, I can't tell you all how good it feels to be working towards a dream and something that feels so right to be doing.

Your advice and opinions are most welcome.

Cheers,
Gearup.

[Yarra]

Gearup.... Ageism unfortunately is alive an well in OZ. Of course it is not told that way, discrimination laws see to that rejection is for some other obscure reason.."you did really well in the interview but the other guy had more experience" etc etc

[Mach E Avelli]

The other unwritten rule seems to be if you have TOO MUCH experience you are overqualified and a threat to some fragile ego within the organization.
Being over 35 with only 500 hours could work in your favour in a company that has no minimum requirements for contract or insurance purposes.
One of the scenic tour operators, for example, would probably be quite happy with a bit of maturity to sell to the punters. Good luck!

[solowflyer]

Having a few more years under the belt has been an advantage for me starting out. Having real world experience in other fields instead of fresh out of school with none can only help.

[Ivor Biggun]

Gearup...

If you have the right to live in the UK or other EU countries you won't come across Antipodean aviation folklore nonsense.

Ivor Biggun

[Goat Whisperer]

Mate,

airlines in Aus (the ones that employ these days anyway) no longer expect you to have 3 shuttle landings by 21. There is a vast range of experience among the entrants to the airlines, all of whom start at the bottom of the same list nowadays.

As for GA, being the non-Gen Y is likely to be a positive, if you've brought maturity commensurate to your age.

Don't be put off.

[Howard Hughes]

For those on the wrong side of 35 with <500hrs, have any of you experienced age discrimination at any levels of the Industry when looking for flying work?
Got my first job at 33 with 480 hours total and never looked back from there. Have always found age to be a help, not a hindrance. :ok:

Apparently though, I now have 'age comensurate with experience'.;)

[Aussie Bob]

My current Airline employer is going to do what it can to get me flying once I've finished the last of my training

Geeze, you would be the envy of many a young pilot here and you are worried?

I am looking at contingency plans just in case

If you are a truly valuable employee and enjoy where you are working why would you need this?

From an employers perspective, i just put on a retired bloke because he is useful. If he wanted to go on to become a commercial pilot it would be possible. He is 65. Age is no barrier to some.

[pakeha-boy]

Ivor Biggun quote........If you have the right to live in the UK or other EU countries you won't come across Antipodean aviation folklore nonsense.....

Ivor....say it aint so.....feelings will get hurt here.....


Gearup....

All the best in your indeavour....I think you will do fine,if you 'bloodhound" this thing..Have recently flown with "Older" F/O,s(3),in your age group and a couple older,with low hours.My interest and conversations with them,were of the interview process etc....all were adamant that the age was a plus,and low time would eventuate into higher time.Their ability to present themselves,explain,and show their maturity was essential to procuring a position.....All had the attiude,that they really had nothing to lose,and were bloody fun to fly with....

I will say this,they all went the extra km to get a 320 endorsement...2 are still in that A/C and one has moved to the 330........their total times when applying were just less than 1000hrs......so mate,if your dead keen and serious about this,I think you will do well............the downside/upside,they have had to come to asia to do it....personal choice of course .The fact that they refused to allow age and lowtime as a hurdle to their endevours speaks highly of their attitudes,and perserverance..............best of luck mate

[Runaway Gun]

It's great to see some positive attitudes being expressed here. :ok: