GA flying should be about expanding the envelope and enjoying the freedom of the skies....
Again, I totally agree. Perhaps you need to water down your stereotypical impression of flying instructors under the age of 50? Seems to me that you cannot get past the idea that the odd young & naive FI might look down their nose at someone with a broad GA background like your good self. I can assure you that I afford every pilot I meet the same amount of respect regardless of experience and certainly would never think myself above the mark simply because I have a few bits of paper more than the next man let alone someone with more flying hours.
And what has airway flying got to do with this discussion? Really!!
VFE.