I heard the age for command thing too... I tell you... quite a few of us are waiting for course dates. If they do something like that, there will be a massive queue to resign! I think it will not happen and if it does they really dont know what they are doing. Age had nothing to do with this "incident", and they know it. Most airlines in the world nowadays have young captains, only because times are changing and people start earlier... I know 45 year old captains that act like they are 15 and 20 year old FOs that are very mature.
Why would I wait say 5 years for my upgrade now that I am ready and I meet the requirements (when already EK wants more hours than any other airline I know) when I can go to QR and upgrade in 3? Seriously... I dont know what they are thinking, but if that is their solution to the problem, good luck! Im out of here!