What is the general consensus for the optimum age for new QF SO?
Early 20s? Mid 20s? Late 20s? Early 30s?
Somebody with uni degree, some work experience, flight training and some overseas work experience who missed 2008 recruitment must be in late 20s now. 28 too late?
Certainly, younger the better but what is the maximum age you guys consider for a new QF SO to be appropriate?
That's a question that doesn't really have one answer. An intermediate answer would be, "it depends".
It is mainly dependent on who you fly for and what you get paid now as well as what level of importance you place on factors such as pay, conditions, job security, promotion prospects, type of flying etc etc.
From a pure remuneration perspective, if you are earning significantly more in your current job than you'll earn as a QF SO then you need to make a calculation (based on rubbery assumptions) as to how long it might be before you make up the lost earnings and begin to overtake. Is it likely or possible that it will be 2, 5, 10 or even 20 years before you make up the deficit? Know one can predict seniority list progression with certainty so there will always be an element of risk in the assumptions made.
Or, you mightn't even care too much about the remuneration and have decided, for instance, that constant 4 sector days (think JQ A320 Ops), regional flying (think Rex), GA, the Military or a life in the sand (EK, EY, QR) is not for you long term.
Horses for courses. Everyone will have different motivations and goals (career as well as life) but 28 is certainly not too late. 35 is not too late either depending on what you're giving up to go to QF. And of course even 60 is not too old if you're just happy to have a relatively well-paid, low-stress, cushy job to see you out until you hang up your wings!
No one, simple, easy answer unfortunately.
Good luck!
PG