I do agree with what you're saying about most people having some axe to grind about why they haven't been able to secure that all important first job. However, with age it's a bit more definite.
So far we have
1. Flybe refusing to take anyone over 32
2. Britannia refusing to take anyone over 30
3. CTC refusing people over 35.
And these are just the ones I know about. No doubt the others will be making hay while the sun shines at the expense of the "less than perfect" applicant.
They're taking such a broad brush approach that you can't even get as far as the interview.