Mr. Magoo: re the ""you're too old and we'd regard you as a training risk" response.
This is pure and simply a market force thing. If there was a shortage of qualified pilots with just the type rating then they would be in demand.
It's a shame really that when considering the pure motivational drive of someone in their 40s who REALLY does want to change his career and has been around and seen what life is all about, the airline industry places no value on this trait at all. I can imagine some people even willing to wash down that 737 every day if there was a chance of flying it for a living.
The long and the short of it is that we, who fall in love with flying - yes that's what it is really - cannot give it up no matter what. Once hooked, you will get close to spending all the money you have, run the risk of divorce and possibly gain a few ulcers.
Everyone knows that this industry is cyclical but who can imagine that the next cycle of upswing will be significant enough for airlines to reach out for the "oldies" and the high hours instructors.
