I had already made the comment about insurance requirements and I did say - all other things being equal. I am not doubting your experience but, guessing you come from a military background, things are a little different when operators are looking to recruit civilians.
And surely instructing IS commercial work; it may not be public transport but it IS commercial.
So, can you explain why, with hours,ratings and experience being equal, that an operator would prefer a 27 year old to a 37 year old? They can't seriously imagine that they would get either of them "for life" as an employee!
Cheers
Whirls