Luke Sky Toddler: Thanks for the apology. I can relate to a few fosters too!
I have to admit I generally agree with your analysis that the airlines will do anything to weed out 99% of the applications to get them down to manageable proportions. And I also agree that us "running our mouths off" here is unlikely to affect Company Policy.
However, the benefit of such a discussion is it makes people (us) consider the arguments, and we do know that these threads are also read by the media and policy-makers alike.
But I still hold dear my belief that any company which applies a discriminatory policy deserves to suffer the full weight of public criticism... and if they ignore or disregard their obligations, then they should suffer the full weight of the Law too.
I am 42 years of age, and I don't regard myself anywhere near being "on the shelf" or slow to train. Being equally skilled and licenced with over 600 hours under my belt, I think I deserve as good a crack at a SIM check as the next guy (or gal).
It's really that simple.
LD Max