One thing is that the TRI's prefer young guys because that makes their lives easier in the simulators.
On the other hand, I have spoken to a lot of Captains about this, and they all preferred EXPERIENCED F/O's as that makes the Captains life more easy on the line when things sometimes get a bit rough.
And to be honest, experience is not so much about learning the SOP's. Everybody can learn that, some faster than others. It is about being able to make the right decisions on the right times, based on knowledge and experience. That is what the pax and costumers are paying for !!!
Just my penny
