I'm sorry but that is just so conceited. I doubt that many captains today would have walked into command without some F/O time, I certainly didn't. I had top wait my time, without malice towards the bloke in the left seat.
Why now should I, or @capricorn23, or others simply make way for youngsters, impatient for a command? There's no "rule" that says one must have a command by a set age, and if rules of retirement have changed, well so be it. Lots of other rules have changed too!
Being 53 I dont expect you to fully understand Claret, so I won't take offence for the conceited remark.
However, I highly doubt you started your first job as an FO with over $100,000 in loans just to finance your training.
As you state you had to
wait your time to get into the left seat. But at least you
knew it was coming eventually. That's a whole lot difference to
waiting your time in many airlines nowadays, where you can't even be certain they'll be around in 3 years.