It all seems terribly unfair no doubt... not to mention probably being illegal on some level. However you have to consider the enormous costs to training people on large helicopters in an offshore role.
Consider training someone in their late 20s vs. training someone in their 40s. The costs can be amortised over a much longer period of time yielding a substantially higher return for the employer.
If it's what you want to do though find a way... I work offshore and I know of new hires with nothing other than R22 time and a pinch of turbine, who have got a start in their early 40s.
Otherwise you might have to consider other options... helicopters fly in lots of other MORE interesting places than in clouds and over water!
Good luck
